[Meeva]

Do you let your children help you to cook, or do you even encourage them to do so? How old were them when you started allowing the little invaders infiltrate your sacred (and tasty) kingdom?

[mamabear]

Alas, they are only interested in the kitchen for the tasty food available but never for helping out. They did not develop any interest in cooking.

[jump]

I do allow my children to cook with me but only one at a time. I trade out cooking and dish duty each night. This way there are never to many people in the kitchen at once and I can really focus on keeping the child safe while they help.

[Cheer13]

Sure my kids help cook. I love it when they do! It's less for me to do and great bonding time. My daughter cooks a lot and is almost making a complete meal by herself.

[Alan]

It's a good family activity to have your kids help you in the kitchen. Our daughter likes the baking part the best. She has fun learning, and we have fun teaching her.

[Belinda]

I know lots of mothers who will not allow their children to help in the kitchen and I think they are making a big mistake. It's been my experience that when the children are very young, it is a good idea to help them help in the kitchen. They learn to love it.

[cleaner]

I allow my son in the kitchen. He has been 'helping' me ever since he could walk. He is 5 now and loves to bake cookies and mix/stir anything! He is starting to be a help now that he understands what to do.

[cowboy]

My wife and I have had our kids learning to cook since about the age of 13. My wife actually started it. Since we have only one girl she said the boys also need to learn everything from cooking to doing their own laundry.

[mamalike]

As soon as they showed interest in helping I let them in the kitchen, they enjoy being apart of what's happening and they take pride when eating it.
If they are a little young and can take a little longer at doing things I'll give them something that can be preped like cutting mushrooms with a plastic knife and its not crucial in timing.