AIBU...To let you know one way I'm keeping my dc busy in lockdown?

[Knowhowufeel2]

Hi

Just thought others might find this idea useful during lockdown.

We're trying to use up everything in our cupboards to avoid going out and my 15 and 18 yo are bored, whilst I'm ill with it.

Starting a few days ago, after hearing them say 'dont fancy that!' (again!) to my suggestion for dinner, I challenged them to do better.

At first they thought great, I can make whatever I fancy, but the rules are:

● Mum chooses 1 ingredient that needs using up, which they have to incorporate into the recipe they choose
● it has to be something they've not made (themselves) before
● it has to be something the whole family will at least try to eat (we have 1 fussy one)
● it has to be made entirely from what we have in the fridge, cupboards and freezers, paying attention to (and making use of) those items with the shortest dates so nothing is wasted.

At first there were grumbles, but they're actually enjoying it, and as I'm ill they're having to do so without any input from me... normally I'd be around for advice/help when they're cooking (eg, youngest can be a bit nervous when frying things as she got burnt before).

15 yo is normally 'the baker', and only cooks a few savoury dishes so this it's more challenging for her as she's less confident with savoury dishes. She's also the fussy one.

18yo loves cooking, but very particular styles only; mainly Japanese, which younger one struggles with as she doesn't really like spicy food, although she will try it.

We're obviously trying to minimise waste which includes not making something no one will eat.

18yo also prefers to just cook for herself and isn't great at following recipes because she likes to improvise, which isn't ideal now food is more difficult to get, so she's got to work on sticking to the recipe as it needs to be balanced.
( A couple of previous meals way before lockdown haven't been great, and were just about edible )

Just thought it might be something for others to try and can easily be adapted to suit different ages

What a great idea. And you get your dinner cooked for you too boot!

What a fab idea, I bet there’s a lot of much older people having to hurriedly learn these skills too as I guess the majority of us have never been in this situation before . I know I am much more vigilant in using every last scrap now.

@Knowhowufeel2 thanks for the recipe!

In our house, dd (14) generally doesn’t have time to cook but has become much more conscious of food recently (she’s always been somewhat fussy but has started much more healthy food habits).

She has made dinner at least 3 nights in the past couple of weeks; and has been making a lot of smoothies to use up fruit from the fridge and freezer. And her dinners have been nice! I even got a separate salad tonight, as I like cos but not butterhead and she really likes butterhead - so she made a large bitter head lettuce based one and a small bowl of the same but based on cos for me!

We spent tonight going through cupboards to check what tins and other sauces we need to use up and she had some interesting (some were even nice!) ideas to use some things.

Clymene I hadn't thought of that, honest

It's lovely, isn't it, BiddyPop?

I know this is an awful time, but there's so many good, small things too, like spending time with family, reconnecting, having time to 'smell the roses' and slow down a bit, seeing kindness from strangers, etc.

You're welcome, ohcaptain

Genuinely, good for you, all of you. It sounds great. Cooking is a life lesson too. So you’re doing home schooling, domestic science lessons daily. Love your idea.

To boot. Bloody hell, I hate it when autocorrect makes me look illiterate

Same here, clymene, why are there only mistakes when I don't go back and read it though?

Excellent OP, you sound like a fantastic parent. Get them to learn and grow from this experience, and appreciate what they have. Far better to engage them that way than dwell on negativity and misery The country will need innovation and imagination in abundance when we are through this.

Great idea, my 32 year old DB couldn't do this even if he tried.
Never too young to start, I did my first 'baking' with my 15 month old DS today, chocolate cornflake cakes. He was excellent, no hands in the bowl, took it all in and as a result got to lick the spoon

They all look completely delicious!

My daughter has been baking. She used up the old bananas today.

Great idea OP. I'm going to use it for DS1.

Thanks.

@MTGGamer, your DS is adorable!

I know this is a shit situation, but I'm trying to enjoy the little things, and spending more quality time with family was in that list before I had to isolate myself.
We've been having movie nights with all of us, which has been great, as one is usually missing/busy when we normally try to do this.

We're eating most meals together now instead of just on weekends.
My youngest is doing her school work at the kitchen table whilst her dad is wfh next to her. It's just nice to see.

I'm trying not to think about the financial problems we're likely to have as we've no savings at all (dh won't qualify for help and I volunteer so don't bring any money home).

I'm loving seeing everyone else's bakes, etc, though

SMaCM
I adore banana bread/cake. It's on my list to make at some point. Tell your dd it looks lovely.

What a great idea and the food they’ve made looks great.

My 9 & 10 year old boys like cooking but at the moment they only stick to making meals from my menu plan and ingredients using instructions I’ve written down for them. Usually I would stand with them and walk them through some of the instructions but recently I’ve taken a step back and trying to let them do it mostly themselves.

The 10 year old has started slight improvisations, like extra veg or something simple but he gets very proud of himself (rightly so)

They want to make some cakes but we ran out of flour and can’t get any around here at all. Supermarket shelves completely empty of it.

for you op

@Knowhowufeel2 This is a fab idea and I'm going to nick it!

awwwww Fantastic ! You are slaying motherhood (and lockdown) 😁🥂

What a FANTASTIC idea! And a great learning tool on how to be resourceful!

My mother never taught me how to cook (probably a good thing because she was a TERRIBLE cook), and I'm struggling to learn at the age of 53.

Adopt me? Please?

Interesting idea. I don't enjoy cooking myself. My 16 year old can but only generally cooks from himself as he normally follows a strict diet. My 14 year old has occasionally produced a yummy meal.
I think I may try this - I'm hoping they'll work if out together!

I don't feel like it most if the time, JenNtonic, but thanks

It's lovely to see them come out of themselves and grow in confidence, isn't it, MinervaVause?

Nick away, @SignOnTheWindow I'm just glad if it helps someone get through this.

Thanks drama & pip.

I think working together as a team sounds great and teaches them even more skills.
Think I'll get my 2 to work together on one meal a week, which will actually really benefit my 18yo as she has ASD, and can struggle with teamwork.

I'm lucky that my mum taught us to cook, sew, etc, and so I want to pass that on to mine, but I had a friend that didn't even know what to do with rice because she'd only ever bought it frozen as fried rice and so already cooked.

Another friend I have can cook fine, but lacks confidence and so I've been helping her increase her repertoire by cooking new things with her, etc, and giving her tips (all by video chat now though).

That’s such a lovely idea. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I rarely post or add a comment because of posters like OlaEliza, it’s spiteful and unkind.

You posted to suggest something fun and useful for children to do and all OlaEliza could do was be unkind.

Thanks, smile, yeah, I think this forced isolation has brought out the worst in some people (bit like a caged tiger).

Great idea OP, my eldest is off to uni also this year (hopefully!) And has no interest in cooking so I'm using this time to show a very reluctant 18 year old how to make some simple meals to recreate at university. I'm making him write it all down in a book to take with him but he complains and say he will just google it!

This was what my 18yo made for dinner today:

Star ingredient was courgette.

She made her own take on Sakshuka and patas bravas alongside homemade flatbread and homemade baba ganoush (with an aubergine that was getting old and soft in places).

It was pretty good.