Monday, August 22, 2011

My Best Idea EVER

There is Taco Soup simmering on the stovetop for supper -- courtesy of my 10 and 12 year olds.  This really may be my best idea ever!

Some say I tricked the kiddos, but I say it was just great mothering skills!  The idea hit me last week when I was trying to come up with yet another creative meal to cook for the family.   I called all four of the children into the kitchen to unveil the GREAT PLAN.  They all came running happily (okay, so that part is in my ~dream~ family.  They really didn't come running happily, but they did saunter in to listen to me.) I asked them to each pick a day.  NOTE:  I DID NOT tell them WHAT they were picking a day for; just told them to pick a day that they were relatively obligation free.

The 10 & 12 year olds picked Monday, the 15 year old picked Tuesday and the 17 year old picked Thursday.  That's when I did the big reveal!  I told them they would now have the privilege of cooking a meal for their family each week. (They didn't jump up and down with joy, but they didn't grumble too loudly either.)

After they picked their day and I announced they would be in charge of a meal each week, I sent them all to different rooms to come up with a meal plan for the next two months.  In case of any duplicates, meal plans were approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Funny thing is, after all these years of eating what I cook, NO ONE came up with a duplicate idea!  We sat down and added the meal ideas to a blank calendar (making sure there weren't too many rice dished in a row or too much chicken in one week) and emailed it to the MainMost for final approval.  We eat at church every Wednesday night, so I took Friday night as my "cooking" night. The MainMost graciously agreed to take Saturday nights and that covers every night except for Sunday which will be an "all-cook" night.

TRULY this may be my best idea EVER!  The kiddos have gotten excited about the cooking opportunities and the first meal is already prepared.  It's fun to see what's coming up on the calendar -- and it's great knowing I don't have to do it all.  I'm thrilled to have their help and they are learning about planning and shopping AND they are making great memories in the kitchen and around our family table.  That's what it's REALLY all about.

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6 comments:

  1. I have failed at menu planning for so long, this just might work for us, too, though. The kids do take turns cooking; tonight Heather made quiche- yummy! I like your idea of giving each of them a specific night. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. What a great idea indeed! I better remember that for in a year or 2. My oldest love to help at breakfast, and, every morning I tell my 5 year old: "Go prepare breakfast."; in the hope that one day he does.

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  3. I am a new follower who you found you through the blog hop. I have to say, that is an awesome idea and I bet the kids will really enjoy their cooking nights! If I had more kiddos at home I would do that too!

    ~Lori

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  4. [...] told y’all a few week ago about my Very Best Idea Ever.  The Monday night chefs chose to do a ham with scalloped potatoes with the hope that I would make [...]

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  5. [...] had helped make her life.  I wondered if it would be be helpful with the implementation of my BEST IDEA EVER.  (<<<  You can click on those bright words to find out for yourself!) Needless to say, [...]

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