Soooooooooooooooo…………Mother’s Day is coming up. Yep. Did it sneak up on you? Do you need to remind someone that they have a little less than two weeks? Do you need to get something shipped off to your own mom? Go ahead and get that done and then come back here and we will talk about a gift for YOU, you productive mama.
Wow. Look at you! Mother’s Day plans done? Check! Now, if you’ve been with me for a little while, you’ve heard me tout the importance of promoting your own kids’ independence and ability to contribute to the family, especially in the kitchen. Here’s a post I wrote about Future Roommate Training and it’s importance.
You are giving to your kids and family every single day, I’d wager. I want you to be sure that you are also giving to yourself or your future self. In the process of teaching your kids life and kitchen skills, you WILL. It’s seriously the gift that keeps on giving and giving in so many ways.
But let’s not get overwhelmed. Let’s just talk snacks right now, OK? How many times a day do you hear, “I’m hungry, can I have a snack?” Because I’m too cheap and paranoid to buy pre-packaged snacks, I usually don’t have anything “good” or “fun” on hand and my answer of an apple, a carrot, a wasa cracker (which DOES come in a package, by the way) or leftovers are often met with sighs. Not always, but often. I also cannot give them free 
range to eat whatever they want, because then they eat the cheese or tomatoes or beloved tortillas that are meant for tomorrow’s dinner.
[I do love the idea of the “free snacks” container or section of the fridge/counter that kids can access at any time. In fact, I do have that. It’s usually got apples, carrots, wasa crackers and leftovers.]
Katie from Kitchen Stewardship has an AWESOME freebie for you! 10 Snacks Your Kids Can Make. Here’s what I love about it:
- the snacks are REAL FOOD
- no exotic or expensive ingredients
- she clearly shows what tasks are for your kids’ ability level
- you don’t have to make the snacks. The kids can. You can rest, work on dinner, nurse the baby or menu plan.
- simple sandwiches?
- cheese and crackers?
- ants on a log?
- simple smoothie?
- trail mix?
But whether you teach the kids to make your own recipes or check out Katie’s snacks in 10 Snacks Your Kids Can Make, give yourself the gift of snack-smart kids!
I admit my own weakness when it comes to letting the kids loose in the kitchen: the cleanup. There WILL be cleanup. You WILL be teaching them to help with that. But if the kids are independent in making their own snacks, maybe you’ll have more energy to do the clean up that kids often miss!
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