Of all of life’s little luxuries, eating out is one of my family’s favorites. Eating out together is a great way to teach young children dining etiquette. Grabbing a quick bite between activity drop-offs can provide valuable face-to-face time when eating at home is not an option. During especially hectic times, eating out can reduce stress and promote family unity. And best of all, eating out can teach kids how to splurge sensibly without blowing an entire budget.
It’s refreshing to find a kids’ menu that reflects the regular fare at a restaurant, rather than a predictable list of frozen burger patties and chicken fingers. Here are a few that are worth seeking out.
It’s good to have a few meals squirrelled away in the freezer for busy nights down the road. Some people plan ahead and prep meals for a month, while others double up on dinner and freeze half for later. Or if you’re looking for a new kind of dinner party, get some friends together to cook on a weekend afternoon, and bring home a week’s worth of meals for everyone. Getting together to cook is a great way to get a visit in and at the same time, take care of a task that needs to be done anyway - why not start a cooking club and alternate kitchens once a month? Chopping is always more fun with a friend.
Wait. No. Hold up. Okay. Now just pour that. Wait. Slowly. Stop! You’re spilling! Okay. Try it again. No! Stop!” Anyone that has ever had a child come into the kitchen to ‘help’ cook a meal understands the frustration (and list of commands) that comes when cooking with children. I am not as patient of a parent as I’d like to be in many situations. I too have had my share of irritations as my young kids have roamed the kitchen at dinnertime wanting to assist me. However, I believe teaching kids to cook, and doing so at a young age, is important.
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