VernaL

When I was a single mother, I didn't have much money. Every Thanksgiving holiday, my daughter and I baked fancy breads, cookies, etc. and put them in the freezer for Christmas gifts.
I baked with my grandkids a lot. We have a small kitchen and the only place to make food is in a corner of the counter between the cooktop and sink. My 3 young grandkids would each be on a stool or chair preparing goodies. My youngest was a grandson and he loved to crack the eggs and got very good at separating the yolk from the whites. The girls didn't like that part. But, he loved the measuring, too. He was too small to mix cookie dough so the girls did that.
There are quite a few cookbooks for kids out there. I have at least 3 of them and the kids used to come over and pour over them to see which ones they wanted to make. Some recipes were pretty messy and some were terrible, so we knew which books had the best. I also have a huge (probably 100) collection of cookie cutters and they loved those. These are some of the best memories they and I have together. They have since moved about 6 hours from us and now the 2 girls are out of high school and the grandson is a Soph. in HS. I miss them and the good times.

Tothill

I am happy to hear that other mums and grannys are baking and cooking with children.

Watson that photo of your grand daughter could be of my daughter, covered in batter with a huge smile on her face.

My original question was about baking, but I can add, I learned the following from my grandmothers:
Canning
Making jam
Spinning and weaving, plus dying with natural dyes.
Identifying flowers in the garden as well as wild flowers
Pruning fruit trees and ornamentals
Growing veggies
How to start a fire in a wood stove, fireplace and bonfire

I miss them both.

Both tried to teach me to knit and crochet and gave up, I eventually learned to crochet. Neither tried to teach me to sew, my first experience was horrible in 4H, but at 19 I decided to learn and took classes.

quiltingcandy

I tried getting my DD's to bake with me - but they were always too busy, except to taste the batter or lick the spoon. We did holiday baking and cookie baking from time to time. But I was a working mom too, so it was limited to holidays and when they need such things for school or church. Neither daughter has much interest in cooking even now. A very dear friend of mine used to make sugar cookies and take them to my daughter's 6th grade class to let them frost them. It was a shock how many students had never frosted a cookie. They loved it. When the rules changed in the district and you can no longer bring in homemade food. (Don't let me get started on that one.)

wildyard

I have always baked with my kids and now I bake with my grandkids. I hope someday to bake with my greatgrandkids.
I think cooking together is a great way to bond and it also creates wonderful memories. I gave my 20 yr. old grandson his first rolling pin at age 12 after he made his first pie from scratch and entirely on his own. He was so proud of that rolling pin!
We live in the country and try to have grandkids stay with us in the summer. It always involves some kind of cooking and baking. I have given them all cookbooks for kids and then more complex ones as the grow older. I believe in teaching children to be self reliant and don't want them to only be able to cook ramen when they are on their own. LOL

crafty pat

I baked with my kids and have a lot of happy times to remember. My DD turned out to be a wonderful cook and baker. Now she is doing the same with my DGD.

farmquilter

In my family our go to recipe is chocolate chip cookies, with peanut butter and oatmeal.[/QUOTE]


I baked with my kids and then my grands. The CC cookies with peanut butter and oatmeal are still baked but now as a memory cookie to honor our son. Now I bake them for his 2 daughters and for special people and friends. Kids in the kitchen should be mandatory for fun and nourishment.

junegerbracht

I baked and cooked with all of my four children. They always wanted to help. I must admit that sometimes when I was in a hurry I would mix by hand rather than turn on the mixer - the sound always made a "helper" come running. Now I bake with my grandchildren - they are always so proud of what they make and love to bring treats home to their parents. Happy times.

lclang

Our kids helped in the kitchen as they grew up. Not their favorite chore sometimes but they got the hang of it. Two of our granddaughters stayed with us one winter and we had a very ill neighbor so our Saturday routine was to make something for the neighbors to eat since she wasn't much of a cook and spent so many hours taking care of him. We made home made breads, nourishing soups, desserts, etc. and the girls took it to their house. Boy were they welcomed royally. Now all of them are not only good cooks but they love to share with people as well. We also have three grandsons who cook and bake. One is experimenting with sourdough breads right now. Lovely memories!

miriam

Of course we baked things. My oldest made bread a couple times a week. His fingers got a lot stronger and he mellowed out... Now he is on a paleo diet so no bread.... My daughter made cookies all the time. Her 6 kids mostly know how to bake and fix simple foods. I would add in... In addition to baking make them clean the dishes as they go. Then my youngest learned to cook. He can cook anything. He can improvise. He has been a professional baker and chef and scored extremely well on evaluations. But he loves waiting tables, entertaining and managing best.

Beachbaby12

I baked with my children and loved it! They're grown married adults now and it would be nice to be blessed with grandchildren one day. My children loved making chocolate chip cookies.