It's summertime, which means that many of us have a lot of time at home with our kids right now. With people budgeting more and focusing on spending less, that means it's not possible to dine out or order takeout as much. So, I wanted to share some benefits of what these constant meals at home are: OPPORTUNITIES!!!

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Giving Toddlers and Kids Ownership Of Their Meals

Kids actually like to be involved in meal planning and cooking. We know that children who participate in meal prep tend to have a healthier view of food and make better choices at meals as they grow! They are more likely to try those veggies if they have contributed to the process.

Having kids helping in the kitchen offers numerous benefits. It helps develop their fine motor skills through tasks like chopping, stirring, and measuring. By helping you in the kitchen, mealtime with kids and toddlers becomes a fun learning experience as they practice math by measuring ingredients and improve reading by following recipes.

When kids help out in the kitchen, they transform it into a space for creativity, fostering curiosity and problem-solving. They can also gain a sense of responsibility and accomplishment when they see the results of their efforts.

The hands-on experience of preparing a meal not only builds practical skills but also strengthens family bonds as everyone collaborates and enjoys meals together. Having kids helping in the kitchen creates opportunities for meals and education to blend seamlessly, turning every meal into a chance to teach and learn.

Combining Meals and Education:

We often cook and bake together as a family activity. And since we have the kids helping in the kitchen, my husband and I use it as an opportunity to combine meals and education, taking the time to teach not only cooking skills, but other subjects as well.

Letting kits help prepare meals is a perfect opportunity to teach them about math. For example, we need a 1/2 cup of sugar and another 1/2 cup of flour. Seamlessly, a discussion about fractions unfolds; “2 halves make a whole” shouts our seven-year old daughter.

Science is another topic that can be easily demonstrated during mealtime with kids. At the stovetop, we talk about how the instant pot releases all that pressure. “Oh that's water” I gently say for the set-up. Our seven-year old son proceeds to talk about the water cycle that was taught in school. “Evaporation, condensation, precipitation!,” he shouts.

We talk about the country our dishes originated from, see what we know about them, and then Google what we don't know. Using meals to teach is all about just creating a door to conversation, and often, it sparks curiosity and engagement. Kids are smart enough to connect the dots themselves! No amount of worksheets can teach that real-world experience.

Mealtime Means Quality Time:

Mealtime with toddlers and kids is all about spending time at the table together as a family. I’ve previously referenced the study that shows sharing 3 meals a week together around a dining table leads to healthier children. We have the ability to slow down and talk to each other without soccer practice, homework, music lessons, etc.

Spending quality time during meals also strengthens family bonds and creates a sense of security and belonging. When kids help in the kitchen, there are more opportunities to connect. Preparing meals together gives parents and kids a chance to discuss the day, share stories, and generally enjoy each other's company.

Embracing Balance During Mealtime with Kids

As always, parents - you are doing great. If you just need a break, order some food or pull out a frozen meal! There is nothing wrong with that!

Using meals to teach children healthy eating habits from a young age is shown to help them make healthier choices as an adult. If you order out - you can still choose healthy options off the menu or if you love pizza as much as we do ... just serve it with carrots, strawberries and a glass of milk.

Mealtime with kids isn't having a perfect, fresh from scratch meal all the time - it's helping to create a sense of balance in what we eat and how we eat. That balance is also needed for parents - serving healthy doesn't always have to be labor intensive - Adding some fresh fruit and veggies to any frozen dinner/takeout instantly adds street cred in my book.

Do what you can when you can - As I say to my friends: The juggle is real.

Embrace the balance between homemade meals and convenient options without guilt. Whether you order out and add fresh fruits and veggies or make meal prep a fun family activity, what matters is the love and effort you put into each meal.

So while you juggle … don’t struggle. Sometimes you can just let it all fall, take a breath, enjoy the moment and pick up where you left off at another time. Sharing techniques on Oreo eating, sometimes, is just what the doctor ordered.

To further enhance your mealtime experience, check out our mealtime guides. They provide insights on creating nutritious, balanced, and enticing meals for your children. While we specialize in stainless steel dishware, our mission is to promote healthier and more engaged children at the dinner table. We hope this guide inspires you to make mealtime a central part of your family’s health and happiness journey.