I'm finding that sometimes life happens best when we turn our heads
....LITERALLY!
We couldn't go to the Wilmington Children's Museum because it was storming, so we decided to have our own cooking club last Tuesday. The girls wanted to make brownies for their Community Bible Study teachers, as well as a couple of neighbors. I thought it was a great idea, so while Emma was asleep, Kyla and I began the first batch. Both girls are great at cracking eggs and measuring liquid ingredients, but it's the simplest steps that seem to make the biggest messes. You know, like trying to get the plastic bag open...and it spilling EVERYWHERE!
I remember hearing Paula Dean make the comment one day that she always seemed to be in her mother's way in the kitchen. I never want my children to feel that way. Of course, there are times when I must do it on my own. You know what I mean! That is just a part of life, but the other, equally important part of life, is the fact that sometimes we need to just turn our heads and let them complete that part of the task on their own. Most of the time, it all works out just fine!
Our children don't need to see negative reactions (our eyes getting big, our loud sighs) in the middle of their hard work. They need us to just occupy ourselves doing something else to accompany their efforts...getting the next ingredient out of the fridge or greasing a dish....something that lets them know we believe in them and we want to see them learn and grow. They need to see that we truly believe that we are a team and we are getting the brownies made together. She has her part and I have mine and together we get the job done!
You should see Emma crack an egg. Did it happen perfectly the first time? second? tenth? Absolutely not. Honestly, I was afraid the child would squish the egg before ever getting the chance to "crack" it, but now, at 4 years old (and she was even doing it at 3) she cracks an egg as well as me! Does she ever get shells in the bowl? Absolutely! We just pick them out! I'm 32 and haven't mastered that skill ;) Why should that be the criteria for her involvement?
At least I'm learning with each box of brownie mix and each batch of muffins, to prepare the area for their success, give them instructions and TURN MY HEAD when necessary! It's amazing how much less the "mess" seems after the mixture is stirred "all the way," than watching it as every little crumb flies out of the bowl and smears on the counter!_______________________________________________
Coming soon to assist you...book reviews for various ages!
