Hi! This is Barb from A Life in Balance. I’m thrilled to be guest posting on Pam’s site, Everyday Snapshots, today. I homeschooled my oldest son from preschool through 6th grade and did Montessori preschool with my younger kids.
Homeschooling moms can make the homeschool day easier for themselves by teaching their kids how to make simple lunches and snacks. Depending on their age, kids can help with preparing the food, cleaning up the food preparation, setting the table, and clearing and cleaning the dishes. You will need to deal with a learning curve and the mess factor.
My Story
When I was homeschooling my oldest son while doing tot school with the younger kids, taking a break for lunch was needed though stressful. Everyone was hungry and ready for a break, including me. I wish I had encouraged my oldest son to help with making lunch, or even to make it on his own. To this day, he isn’t very comfortable in the kitchen.
Now, after years of parenting five kids, I encourage my kids to make their breakfast and snacks all the time. Yes, the kids can be messy. Part of making food in the kitchen is being responsible for clean up. Teaching my kids to make food is one of the best things I’ve done as a mom to help my kids be self-sufficient in the kitchen.
Keep Lunch and Healthy Kid Snacks Simple
When younger kids are involved in meal and snack preparation, expect the preparation to take just a little bit longer. Sticking to simple lunches and healthy snacks minimizes the preparation and clean up during a busy homeschooling day. Preparing some of the ingredients during the weekend as a family can make preparation time during the week go more smoothly.
Teach Kitchen Safety First
One of the first things I teach my kids in the kitchen is safety. We don’t put our hands near people cutting food with knives. We don’t put our faces near pots on the stove. We always wash our hands with soap before handling food.
I teach my kids to use a knife at an early age. Toddlers and preschoolers can use a butter knife to cut bananas and softer foods. Seven and eight year kids can learn to cut with a sharp knife with parental supervision.
My second son has been baking for me since he was about eight. Initially, I would put the trays in the oven; now he does it. The first rule we went over for baking? Always check the oven before turning it on. I remind my kids about the time my dad turned the oven on without checking and melted a Tupperware container around a brand new pie my mom had made.
No Cook Meals
No cook meals are the easiest ones for kids and homeschooling moms to handle. Younger kids can handle the simple task of putting fruit salad in a bowl or helping with making a green salad. Slightly older kids will love making sandwiches. They can be responsible for taking orders if everyone likes a particular kind of sandwich.
I consider leftovers heated in the microwave to be no cook meals. Most kids can put the plate in the microwave and push the right button to warm it up.
- leftovers
- fruit salad
- green salad with protein
- sandwiches
- smoothies and protein bar
- Tunafish, Egg Salad, or Chicken Salad
- healthy kid snack recipes
Simple Meals to Cook
Use simple meals as an opportunity to teach kids some basic recipes they can use when they’re on their own as young adults. As your kids get into their middle school years, they can learn how to make these recipes from scratch and branch out to other ones.
- eggs – scrambled or baked
- mac and cheese from the box
- hot dogs
- store bought pizza
- pancakes
- Baked Puffed Pancake
What are your favorite lunch and healthy kid snacks for a busy homeschooling day?
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- Teach Your Kids to Make Simple Snacks and Lunches - July 29, 2014