Preparation and Children

Is it a burden or a blessing to have the kids involved in preparation? There is not an easy answer. If your children are older and have been trained well than i would say it is a great blessing. Kids that have been trained in the importance of feasting and who are used to having guests in the home can help in almost all of the preparation. I have been in homes where the teenagers did not even need the help of the parents. More important they were joyful about it. Sometimes it is hard for us with smaller ones to remember to train them in all of this. Yes, it is easier to have them out of the kitchen. But, how will they ever learn to do this and do it joyfully if we do not work at training them now. I have a few ideas to help with this. First I make their chores easy. I made a picture of a place setting so even Zachary can set the table. There are many websites or books that have this, but i do not use every piece in a place setting. This confused the kids because it did not match perfectly. I just took a digital picture of what we use and that is our reference. Folding the napkins is a great job for the toddlers. Sarah Beth loves to help clean the vegetables. We have great conversations while doing this. Isaac likes to mix the salad after I have done the chopping. Also, get the kids in on the inviting of the guests. Isaac was just asking today about having certain families over. Get them involved and be joyful about it. They will develop a love for it soon.

Julie