Kid's cooking

So today, my husband and I are going to the UNC/Ga Tech game. Let me just say off the bat that my blood runs Carolina Blue. There are many things to look forward to this rainy Saturday: a date with my husband for one (although we might bring the baby, we still haven't decided), the Pig Pickin' tailgate party for Carolina alums for a second. One of the BEST things though, is that I'm NOT pregnant this year! I have been to two other match ups between these teams when they play here in Atlanta and have been pregnant BOTH times - and I mean REALLY pregnant, due within the month. People frown when you want to drink beer. I was even pregnant when I saw UNC play Maryland many years ago when we lived in Washington, DC.

Today will be different though. I will get to "relive" my college days - within my bounds of responsibilities, of course; ever practical and sensible. We are leaving the kids home to fend for themselves. With an almost 15 year old and 12 year old (both having completed the "Safe Sitters" program), in charge, I leave them without any regrets or worries - except for the cooking part.

My kids are VERY good about fending for themselves. I have heard stories on the news about situations where a two year old fed herself on ketchup packets and I have no doubt that my three year old could make himself cereal complete with milk if he had to. Thankfully, the circumstances are not the same as those stories on the news. My wonderful neighbors have been informed that we will be gone should my oldest need an adult for any reason. One of the rules that we will lay down though will be NO STOVE COOKING. We have a gas cooktop and there is something about the "open flame" that makes me nervous - hence the LAW being laid upon them again (this is not a new rule). My 12 year old is perfectly capable of cooking, and when we are here, she is allowed free reign in the kitchen. The worst thing that she ever does is not clean up. When we are gone however, George Foreman and the microwave will be their best friends.

What can one cook for oneself and one's younger siblings you ask when one can't use the stove? Hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheeses, chicken, can all be done on the "grill", soup, chili, frozen meals, etc. can all be done in the microwave. This is obvious to us grown ups, but how many times have you caught your child staring into the fridge or pantry with no inspiration about what to make or how to make it? Here comes "cruise director mom" with a list of options for them. That is how our family works, I will leave them a list of acceptable options so that there can be no confusion on what is allowed and what isn't. Kids like boundaries (unbeknown'st to them) and like being given choices. Make sure the choices are things that you can live with and all will run smoothly.