You might as well guess from the title, (if you’ve already read my previous post that is), it’s a post that’s something similar, or rather in relation, to the choice of toys I let my boys play with. Growing up in a society with clearly defined stereotypes about boys and girls, I intend to change that for my sons, so they could understand the girls’ perspective as well. When there’s understanding, there’s respect.

Along with the choice of toys I’d made, it was time to do so with cooking. Now that many chefs are making it in the world of fame, in the likes of Ben O’Donoghue, Jamie Oliver, and Gordon Ramsay, it’s safe to say cooking is for everyone. Of course, it all started with a play for my Ethan and Noah, letting them be pretend cooks with toy food, but as soon as I got them childrens cooking aprons, things upgraded to a level in my kitchen.

I immediately fell in love with the aprons, because of how much of genuine versions they appeared to be, not differing from the adults’ models, even in the cotton zip pouches. To make it all the more fun (and help Noah learn how to recognise his name) I had their names embroidered on their childrens cooking aprons. I’m definitely having those moments of pride when I see them joyously put their aprons on, rushing to the kitchen every time mummy starts preparing a meal.

As expected, Ethan is showing interest in learning, and helping out, by carefully sorting the ingredients, chopping them under my supervision, and stirring them, while for Noah it’s still a chance to make a colourful mushy mess of flour, bits and pieces of veggies, and fruits. After we’re done with the preparation, I let them know how to bake (if necessary), yet still warning them not to do so when mummy isn’t around – electricity isn’t a toy for kids.

While we’re still at the beginning of our cooking lessons, I expect them to get those skills soon enough, so we can compete in who makes the best salad. When in doubt, we have my husband try out the meals – he’s our taste tester, as is Uno who is always there to eat the mushy mess on the floor à la Noah. I can’t tell you how much we’re enjoying this as a family; cooking with my kids has proven to be a great bonding activity we all have fun with.

Besides, one can’t deny the fact it’s an essential surviving skill in life; you have to know how to feed yourself properly. This way I get to teach my sons why it’s important to eat healthy, as well as how to make healthy food choices.

Taking into account there are many processes in cooking, they also get to learn things like how and when water boils, what happens to ingredients when we keep them in the freezer, or bake, or fry them – it’s all chemistry! I’d like to hear whether there are more mummies sharing this same experience, so leave me a comment.