Kids in the Kitchen – WTF?
My teens are no strangers to the kitchen. They set the table every night, so they know where the knives and forks and napkins are stored. They pour themselves milk at dinner, so they know where the glasses are kept. They can work the oven well enough to heat a pizza, and they’re masters of the microwave.
Beyond that? Once in a blue moon they help out.
But lately, they’ve been hanging out in the kitchen quite a bit. My daughter not only helped cook dinner the other night, but she came in and offered to help. And on another recent night, she cooked up a dessert for the three of us. As for my son – he always does homework in his bedroom where he can goof off for stretches and not get caught, but lately he’s been doing his school work at the kitchen table.
What’s gotten into them?
I have a few theories (one of which I can’t blog about.) Let’s just say it seems they both are very aware of my presence in their lives, and understand it won’t be this way forever. My daughter, for instance, heads off to college in the fall.
When my kids are in Dad’s House, I eat breakfast with them both. I make them lunches to take to school. I cook them dinner at night. We talk all the time, about all sorts of things. We have a great relationship.
But for them to be coming into my turf – the kitchen – and hanging out, or helping out, where before they’d spend that time in their bedrooms or the TV room, or out of the house and hanging out with friends – it’s a little weird.
And kind of nice.
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Comment by oshea12566
| March 19th, 2010
I say let them in! Sounds to me as if they are getting a bit older and no longer need to be in the Fortress of Solitude at least that is what I called it. Don’t judge.
Perhaps they no longer feel that teen angst or the need to rebel? They feel comfortable with their own identity? Or maybe I am making this more complicated than it is. Perhaps they just like hanging out with you wherever you are.
oshea12566´s last blog ..St. Paddy’s Day
Comment by cece
| March 19th, 2010
It seems like the kids feel the caring and love and just want to be near you! How wonderful! Enjoy!
Cece
cece´s last blog ..Mid-Week Symphony: Daffodil Days!
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| March 19th, 2010
It’s wonderful when kids help without being asked. When you realize they’ve absorbed important lessons.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Building Bridges
Comment by Andrea
| March 19th, 2010
I’m cursing mine when they are underfoot (at 3 and 8 they tend to get in the way a bit more than teens do). But my 8 year old loves to cook. When I have time I try to let him help by stirring the eggs or in our old house where he could reach, use the microwave with my help. Maybe they realize that moments of three are coming to a close soon with your daughter going off to school. Either way, I’d take it!
Andrea´s last blog ..Spin Cycle: How does your blog breathe?
Comment by Kat Wilder
| March 19th, 2010
I think you’re experiencing the way it’s supposed to be — they’re maturing, a little less self-absorbed, on their way to being who they’ve been becoming all along.
Then we parents can sit back and say, yeah, it was worth it!
Kat Wilder´s last blog ..Help! I saw my dad’s girlfriend naked!
Comment by Mindy@SingleMomSays
| March 19th, 2010
My kids have always been pretty self-sufficient in the kithcen and during the week they make their own breakfast and pack their lunches. But I have always cooked family dinners, weekend big breakfasts, holiday meals, etc.
Now that my oldest is home for spring break she is planning her evenings so she can be home for my home-cooked dinners and is even asking for recipes for next year when she will be sharing a house with roomates and making her own “family” meals.
Mindy@SingleMomSays´s last blog ..Q & A – The Answers
Comment by T
| March 19th, 2010
My girls LOVE to help cook dinner. They get such a sense of satisfaction when we’re eating something that they made.
Oh DH, what are you going to do when your little girl heads off to college?!?
T´s last blog ..Different roads, Same Destination
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| March 19th, 2010
You must be doing something right. I never had a moment like that with my parents. I suspect it must be a realization that the family unit is about to be splintered by the demands of life (college, work etc)– like you said. But, who knows, right. Enjoy it.
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Teaching Basic Probability with a Pile of M&M’s
Comment by Heather
| March 19th, 2010
LOL when we were in HS. We were not allowed in the kitchen if my stepmom was cooking. She’d say we were getting in her way. But when we were in our 20’s she’d let us hang out and talk with her. SOMETIMES, though, when we were younger she would let us help..sometimes. Not often though! :P
Heather´s last blog ..Oh yeah it’s Friday!
Comment by Sandra
| March 19th, 2010
I can’t believe one is leaving the nest !
Sandra´s last blog ..What was the best advice you were given ?
Comment by Pippi
| March 19th, 2010
I will plan your party if you cook for me and send meals cross country Fedex packed in dry ice. Nah, I’d plan you a party even if you didn’t do that. The kids have finally realized that you rock the house!
Pippi´s last blog ..Rain For Sale
Comment by dadshouse
| March 19th, 2010
Pippi – should I get my kids to wear my blog badge? Hahaha. (If anyone wants a badge, feel free… http://dadshouseblog.com/blog-badges/ )
Kat – I think you’re right, it’s the way it’s supposed to be. And I love it!
Comment by Danielle
| March 19th, 2010
Don’t question it. It may change. I think it is great and just another reminder of what a good dad you are.
Danielle´s last blog ..I feel like DadsHouse with all of the links I am sportin today!
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| March 19th, 2010
My boys love helping out in the kitchen. It’s something we can’t do too often anymore, due to the living situation, but when we have game nights with The Nerd, we always all cook something together for dinner.
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..@#*()!@#@^&*@$& Really? You must be joking, right?
Comment by Jenni
| March 19th, 2010
Aw, this is wonderful. =)
My two love to be in the same general area as me. I love it, because we can just hangout.. even if it’s just watching some TV or learning a new kids game.
I’ll admit though, since I have them 98% of the time, getting away is definitely nice.
Jenni´s last blog ..‘Just Like You..’
Comment by Elizabeth
| March 19th, 2010
You can see all of that investment in time just hanging out and meals shared starting to pay off. David, they get it! As proud a papa as you are, give yourself a pat on the back.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Guess who is coming to dinner?
Comment by Travis
| March 19th, 2010
I have to attack my kids with a restraining order to get them out of the kitchen… but they just keep on violating my personal space… ( okay I let them… it’s nice to have those good conversations when food is cooking or the dishes are being washed
Travis´s last blog ..All The Right Friends And All The Right Places
Comment by saint nobody
| March 20th, 2010
the kitchen is the heart of the home and all that…food is the ultimate bonding experience, home cooking the ultimate gesture of love (well, one of them). my daughter (8 yrs, special needs) loves to cook–pancakes are our favorite together, and she spends lots of time in her play kitchen complete with wooden and plastic food and a chef’s outfit–and i have to keep an eye on her when i hear her in the kitchen, ’cause she still needs supervision. the ten-year-old boy, not so much.
and cleaning up is definitely a work in progress….
Comment by Fred Campos/@FullCustodyDad
| March 20th, 2010
I think it great! I require with rare exception that kids do their homework at the table and that my oldest daughter, soon to be 11, help out with the cooking of dinner at least two nights a week.
Let them invade your space. Great parenting conversation unprompted occurs in these special moments.
Fred Campos/@FullCustodyDad´s last blog ..Listen for Good Attorneys in Court Tip #80
Comment by Lori
| March 21st, 2010
Hey, there–just stumbled across your blog via another, and I love it! I am the product of divorced parents, and in particular a father who managed to live in every state but the one we existed in, and I love that you have such a great relationship with your kids. They will really appreciate it when they’re grown and gone, believe me. It looks as though they’re already sensing the awesomeness of that connection.
Lori´s last blog ..Weekend Gallery 4: Journeys
Comment by sophiesf
| March 25th, 2010
The kitchen is the best space for bonding. Some of my favorite times with my siblings/parents, friends, and boyfriend have always been in the kitchen. Sharing a meal is such a natural way to bring people together.Another great way to bond with your daughter is just running stupid errands together. I think I really got to know my dad my teenage years by doing chores like grocery shopping, going to the bank, etc. And I also liked that he liked having me along. I got to see how he interacted with people besides his kids and was impressed how friendly, funny and popular he was in public.