This is a topic close to my heart as I sit here in my living room with my 2 kids: Joy 3 1/2 years old and Joshua 7 months! This week we baked, cooked, cleaned house, and so on. All of which my 3 1/2 year old was very eager to help with. Some would say I can do it all on my own but, it takes longer when my children help and is not done right/or the way I would do it if my children help me. I totally understand where you are coming from, however I have learned that you have to start training them when they are young. I realize that things make take longer and you may have to redo some jobs but the end results of letting your kids help and learn are worth it in the end. My least favorite job is cleaning bathrooms and instead of putting it off. I asked Joy if she wanted to help me clean the bathrooms today and she jumped right in and said sure mom how can I help? I love her enthusiasm in wanting to help. We have not really made up chore charts for her yet; but they are in the works. She loves to help put the silverware away from the dishwasher.
Every morning when we get up she has to make her bed and get dressed (clothes are pre-laid out the night before) without being asked. It will amaze you how fast your kids will grow up in what seems like the blink of an eye. Next to the cooking side of kids helping. I bought a 2 step stool for the kitchen so she can be higher up to the counter! She does not always like to help in the kitchen. But when she does she wants to be right there with me. This past week we did a good amount of cooking; bread, soup, cookies and buffalo chicken dip (one recipe included below). In this picture she is helping me make home made bread, and we also made a great home made soup recipe. Both of these were new recipes but turned out great. Couple things I have learned is 1-make sure that the mixer you are using is unplugged (otherwise your kids turn it on and get flour EVERYWHERE), 2-let them hold the measuring cups/spoons, the worst that can happen is the recipe will be slightly off (but that's ok), this is a learning time for the kids as well, and teaching you patience. Enjoy and treasure this time, they grow up so fast and in a blink of an eye they will be 18 and leaving home. Treasure every moment that they want to be by your side helping you; it will take longer for sure, but you are making memories, teaching and training the next generation. What better person to teach them than their parents from the comfort of your home.
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Great Book & Information: Dani Johnson "Grooming the Next Generation for Success"
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Mexican Style Soup |
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1 pound shredded, cooked chicken 1 (15 oz)can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce/chili sauce 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups water 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth |
1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn |
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DIRECTIONS:
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Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and. pepper. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours. |
