Do you cook dinner for teens?

[Orangesandlemons77]

MIL was telling me I should let them cook their own dinner. I have always made it for them. That they wouldn't be independent etc.

DS is just 18, Dd 15. I cook for everyone on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday we all sort ourselves out, Wednesday DS cooks for himself I do something for DH and Dd, DH does the same Thursday and cooks for us all on Friday.

I have taught 15 year old to cook and he can make a Turkey curry, spag bol, homemade pizza and chicken and bacon lardons and leeks in creme fresh and blue cheese sauce. He cooks once a week for family under vague supervision.

I don't have teensnyet but intend to follow my mums footsteps of texting/asking about 3pm saying 'will you be home for dinner?' And expecting 1 of 3 responses. 'Yes ill be home' 'no ill sort myself out' and 'no but plate me one up'

Oh and all 3 of us have managed to live independently and cook just fine

I carried on for as long as we all ate together, although we would also cook together and they'd cook themselves for all of us sometimes.

Now they keep such irregular hours and set plans so late that I never know who's in for dinner so I've stopped, have my main meal at lunchtime and leave them to it.

It does bother me because they never really have what I'd call a decent meal, but evenings are a revelation.

Yes I always cook dinner except the odd occasion when DD cooks for all of us - maybe every two weeks. She tends to sort out her own breakfast, and lunch in the holidays

Teens often cook for me. I usually cook for them. They are good cooks. Even when I am cooking, they often help or do the clearing up.

They always did get their own breakfast and lunch, as soon as they were in year 6.
I like us to eat together, but my dd has food issues. She always makes her own meals and eats alone, but I keep an eye on her and they are always healthy and nutritious.

Yes, I cooked for the ds when they were teens. During holidays, I’d encourage them to cook meals (for the family).

Su

I find this Mumsnet thing of teenagers having to fend for themselves so odd. Do laundry for themselves, cook for themselves, make all life decisions without parents getting involved, etc. There's a difference between teaching them how to look after themselves for when they e.g. go to uni, and basically not looking after them any more and letting them get on with it. Plus don't people want to share a meal and eat together as a family? That's when all the best conversations with my teens happen. I actually hate cooking but I do enjoy looking after my family.