How teaching your kids to cook has many benefits.

You are the best teacher your child can have in the kitchen, and when learning about foods that are healthy, versus foods that aren't. Kids are naturally curious about how things work, so most likely they will be thrilled about cooking lessons. They need quality times like these to grow, and it also gives them confidence. I have 3 boys, and 2 of the 3 love to get in the kitchen and create some......good food. The 3rd, well he cooks if he's hungry and doesn't want to wait for me to make something. They don't make fancy dishes or anything with more than just a few ingredients, but still, they know enough for being 9, 10, and 12. I've had people tell me that I shouldn't allow them even near a stove, much less cook, but how else are they going to learn.

There are so many benefits in teaching a child to be kitchen savvy.

• Quality time. I take this time in the kitchen to visit with my kids. It's one of the rare opportunities I have to actually stop and listen to what they are saying, and it makes them feel special also. I feel guilty all the time because I know they probably feel ignored. So this is one area I have dedicated myself to working on this year. Finding more opportunities, even if it's through cooking, to visit with, and LISTEN to my kids. I've learned some pretty interesting things in the kitchen.
• Teaching your child to cook instills knowledge, and teaches good habits, and responsibility, because you have to be responsible while cooking. They learn about different foods, nutrition, and even a little math and science from time to time. This is some of the best years to teach them things like this because they will soak it up like a sponge, and they'll remember it for life.
• Teaching a boy to cook will benefit him later in llife because he'll know how to cook for himself before he has a family of his own, and I feel like it will also assist in teaching them to be a good father later on ......waaaay later on. They are good tools to be equipped with once I kick them out......i mean, once they leave the nest to go on to be successful whatever they ares.
• If they know how to cook, they will never go hungry, even on days Mom just can't get in there to make supper, because of little sister.
• If you take them to the store with you to get the foods needed to cook, you can also teach them how to shop wisely, and read labels. Also good tools to have when they get older.

They aren't real big on reading labels because they don't understand it completely, and they get bored when I try to explain what they say, but they are experts on finding the best deals as far as prices. I am a tight wad :), I didn't always used to be that way though. Anytime we shop for groceries, I have taught them how to find not just cheapest prices, but amount of the product in relation to the prices. I laugh now because many times at the store, I've sent them to grab something and I'll hear one tell the other, "remember get the cheap one". If we're at WalMart, I hear, "remember get the one in the white package" (Sam's Choice) lol..

I guess the biggest reason I teach my kids things like cooking, or cleaning, or shopping and how to shop wisely, is because I want more than anything, for them to grow up to be productive men. I feel that in order for this to happen, I have to teach them the same qualities that I myself, would need in a partner, because one day, they will be some poor girl's partner, and I don't want them to be worthless individuals. I want them to be responsible, thoughtful, considerate men who treat their wives with respect, and are helpful mates, and fathers.

Have you ever had an egg in a basket? Oh my. I saw this one day I believe on the food network, and had to make some. They are so simple to make, my boys make these quite often.

You simply cut a hole in the center of the bread with a cookie cutter or anything round. I add a couple of teaspoons of butter to a non-stick pan, and put it on medium heat. Place the bread in the pan, I usually let it toast up a little before adding the egg so it holds shape better. Next you crack one egg into the center of the bread. Cook for just a couple of minutes until the egg is settled enough to turn it over. Then flip it and cook it another couple of minutes, and that's it. We like the egg sunny side up so it's all good and runny :), but you can cook it longer if you don't like it sunny.