(ThyBlackMan.com) Whatever happened to the good ol’ days? You know, the days of having home cooked meals with loved ones and good conversation. The fast paced world of today has almost made cooking as a family event something of the past. You may be asking: Who has time to cook when everyone is tired from work or school? However, the following 6 benefits may cause a change of heart.
Bringing the Classroom Home
Learning is something that should be promoted at all times even when not in school. Cooking as a family is perhaps one of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to do this. Turn every cake or pie into a math problem with a delicious prize by working on division and fractions. All subjects can be taught in the kitchen. Improving English or learning foreign languages can be taught through common phrases and ingredients. Social studies is a practical subject that is
very easy and fun to integrate. Have a cultural dinner once per week to teach about different countries, ethnic groups or traditions (Also the premise of my soon to be released book: Kids in the Kitchen).
Promotes Healthy Living
In a country plagued by obesity parents must remain on the frontline of caring for their children’s health. Also, promoting healthy eating for children can be just the jumpstart parents need to eat healthier. Preparing food at home takes longer than fast food and microwave options. The lack of instant gratification curbs junk food eating. When a family cooks together a support system is automatically put in place for those who have trouble with snacking and poor food choices. An added benefit of family cooking is that children with food allergies can be catered to and the child can gain back some control over their situation.
Carry on Tradition
Passing things on from one generation to the next has become something of the past. Families that cook together can carry on old recipes and promote family pride while building better relationships with grandparents or extended family. Don’t have any family recipes? No worries! You can create new ones with children. Having something to pass on builds a sense of pride and anticipation for a productive future. A tradition of telling stories that surround those recipes are great to pass on as well.
Self-Building
Sometimes young people just need an opportunity to see how great they really are. Cooking as a family can help to build up a person from the inside out. Self-confidence and pride are to be gained when achieving cooking goals such as meeting deadlines and receiving praise for new recipes. Creativity, working well with others and organization are also skills that can be gained through family cooking.
Builds Bridges
Family cooking is one of the best ways to build relationships. Conversing with children, teenagers especially, can be difficult. Performing activities while conversing can help to lessen the awkwardness and stress caused by some conversations if done in a casual environment such as the kitchen. Everyone loves and needs to eat so the neutral territory can ease any tensions. Also, parents may be able to notice when things are wrong quicker. It can prove difficult to notice when something is wrong with a child who is allowed to spend dinner and all their free time in a private space. When family cooking is established, out in the open interactions are normal and red flags will rise faster when that suddenly stops.
Healthier Marriage
Yes, really. A marriage has so many factors and sometimes complex issues that something as simple as family cooking may not seem like a solution. However, it makes perfect sense when you think about it. Family cooking saves money, time and sanity. The more money saved can be spent on tuition, an extra car or home repairs that were causing tensions. Time saved can be spent on bonding with a spouse instead of cleaning dishes all by yourself. The more sanity you have will help to de-stress your life and who doesn’t need less stress?
Staff Writer; Stanley G. Buford
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