The Benefits of Cooking Together as a Family
By Jillian Amodio, LMSW
Everybody has to eat, right? And somebody has to do the cooking. Cooking tends to be one of those love-it-or-hate-it things. Some enjoy scrolling through recipes, listening to music while making dinner, and then enjoying their meal with their family. Then there are those who dread the daily question, "What's for dinner?" No matter where you fall between the two, cooking together as a family has many benefits. Here are a few reasons to try cooking together as a family: • Cooking together offers families time to connect and talk over a shared task. • The process of making a meal can help practice and fine- tune executive functioning skills . • When kids are involved in cooking, they are more likely to be adventurous in trying new foods . • Cooking can promote literacy, fine motor skills, and math skills . • Planning and making meals together offers natural opportunities to discuss health and nutrition . • Enjoying a meal that they helped create boosts c onfidence and self-esteem in kids. • Cooking together (maybe even playing music while you do so) strengthens family bonds . • Shared tasks can reduce one family member's mental load and physical workload, which can alleviate stress and benefit the family. • Cooking teaches valuable life skills . • Completing a task together creates opportunities for conversation . When kids (especially teens) are involved in a task, it can take the pressure off focusing solely on conversation, creating a safe and low-key environment for meaningful conversation. We know the benefits, but how do we make it happen? Start small. If your family never cooks or eats meals together, this will definitely not be a nightly thing. Introduce the idea slowly. Start by sharing why this is important. Assign specific tasks. Choose one night a week or a few nights a month. Consider signing the family up for a cooking class if cooking is intimidating. Kids are never too young to be included. Even toddlers can help with washing vegetables or pouring out pre-measured ingredients. Encourage older kids to create a playlist of songs that "fit the vibe" of what you're making. And most importantly,
Photos courtesy of Chelsea Harrison.
remember to have fun. Manage your expectations. Will it be messy? Probably. Will everyone be thrilled about the idea? Maybe, maybe not. But habits take time to form, and memories will be made, even if the experience isn't picture-perfect.
SPRING 2024 | 39
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