My little girl rushed into the kitchen, asking excitedly, "Mommy can I help make dinner?"

I hesitated.  My heart sunk.  I hate to squelch enthusiasm.  I didn't want to tell her I had already chopped the celery, pickles, onions and eggs.  I had already added the mayo to the tuna and mixed it together.  And placed the tuna salad and cheddar on top of 4 slices of bread.  I was one step away from toasting the sandwiches.  I felt "stuck".

I asked, breathing a sign of relief, "Would you like to put on the last slices of bread?" 

  "Oh thank you, mommy!"  she answered.

I gave Miss the bread and she placed them on top of the cheese, completing the sandwiches.  I thanked her and she hopped off the helper-chair and continued playing with her brother.

I am so thankful I did hesitate, for if I had not, I may have missed an opportunity.  I tend to save the cooking or baking with my kids, for big projects--recipes with many steps.  Mommy lesson learned--joy and pride in helping can be achieved by small, although no less important, steps. My daughter's feel good factor (and mine) was no less evident. 

Kitchen Tips:

1.  Factor in time for "helping hands".

2.  Add some pickle juice to tuna salad, for moistness and an extra zing.  (TBS per 5 oz)

3.  Pre-heat cookie sheet before baking tuna melts in oven.  Doing so eliminates flipping the sandwiches over to toast other side and helps prevent the bread from getting a soggy center.  (i forgot this step, which ended up being a good thing.  i would not have let my daughter help, if the sheet was hot.)

4.  If some folks like egg in their salad, mix some with and some without.  (same goes with any other ingredient, when its a salad mix recipe)

5.  Take it easy--make basic meals for dinner.  Great tasting meals can be quick ones, too.

6.  When husband suggests tuna melts for dinner and it sounds like the grossest thing ever, make it anyway.  Try it anyway. And hope it tastes good!  And if He loves it and You hate it, make it anyway--'cause you love him!!



For more ideas, check out great kitchen tips at http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/2108!!

Safety in the kitchen comes first, FUN is a close second!!


Melinda