Many parents don’t realize that, in these modern technological times, they are forgetting to teach their children valuable life skills that will allow them to be self-sufficient in the future. One of these skills that seems to have gone by the wayside is learning how to cook. If we, as parents, only provide meals for our kids but never invite them into the kitchen we are not helping them to be independent and prepare their own meals as adults.
The mission of the Fourth Annual Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest is quite simply to encourage parents and kids to cook together. The contest provides a platform for parents with kids in grades K-8 to connect with their children one meal at a time by going to unclebens.com and submitting a three-minute home video of their family preparing a rice-based dish while discussing their experience cooking together. Five winners will win $15,000 each for their family and a $30,000 cafeteria makeover for their child’s school. Entries were accepted through October 12th and voting for the winners will continue through November 3rd, 2015.
As part of the campaign, they have put together a fun video project called Homework Direct showcasing what would happen if parents tried to outsource homework—as you can imagine, it’s a very controversial subject! While some are surprised at the thought of taking away homework and the important lessons it teaches kids, most parents don’t realize that’s it’s equally important to arm a child with valuable skills by teaching them to cook.
I have seen the importance of imparting these skills to our own boys as the are older now and they enjoy being able to prepare simple meals for themselves. Not only does it make me proud to see them becoming more independent, but it is sometimes nice to have them make snacks and prepare meals for me when I’m tired from working all day. It’s important for kids and families to cook together for all of these reasons and more!
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you are teaching your kids to cook and inviting them into your kitchen?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored campaign created in collaboration with Uncle Ben’s USA. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2015, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I did teach my now adults sons how to cook a lot of basic meals…hamburgers, pasta dishes, steak on the grill and so on. We started when they were in grade school and by high school they could make a grilled cheese sandwich among other things if they were hungry and I wasn’t home.
My grandma taught me to cook and those are some of my fondest memories with her. She made everything from scratch, and it was awesome!
When I cook at home I always try to incorporate the girls, whether I get them to help with the prep work or letting my youngest stir the food on the stove ( supervised all the time) or when they are mixing baking prior to putting cakes/cookies/pastries in the oven helps them to know they are learning viable life skills for later on in life.
We entered this contest, and we’re getting little Bianca into the kitchen more and more. She loves to garden, loves vegetables, and is learning what makes the flavors she likes to eat. With a little more height, she can reach the stove:) VoteForB.com
I don’t buy pre-packaged, frozen dinners, so I cook everything myself and my children like to help. I think it will help prepare them for the future.
I love having help in the kitchen, and when my grandchildren are over, which is a lot lol, they are always
asking to help me in the kitchen and in this house we love our uncle bens rice.
@tisonlyme143