Letting my kids cook?

Question

I got burned badly as a child, I was 9 years old, I was reaching over to turn the grill off and my dress caught fire. I am going to psychology and after talking about it my burn is really sore. I am now 43 so I do know it is psychological. I also never eat anything I cook as I get so anxious I can't face it.
I find it hard to let my kids cook and the psycholgist feels this is wrong. My kids are 12 and 18 years old. What I want to know is if others feel I am being unfair to my kids by not letting them cook?

I do let the kids use the grill, oven and microwave it is the gas rings at the top I find hard to let them use.

Answer 1

hi there, no you are not being unfair, you are just being overprotective, let them cook, if it makes you feel better tell them to use the back rings on the cooker, that way if they do lean forward as you did, the front rings are not hot. i can understand why you are so protective around the children with this being a bad experience with yourself, but do let them cook with your supervision until you feel better letting them cook by themselves.
i hope this helps
Yvonne

Answer 2

Unfair? Are you kidding? Let's just hope your kids are mentally well enough to not already have they're own hang ups about cooking by now. The one is 18 for crying out loud! That "kid" is an adult by law; can be drafted into the service, can get married without your consent, can vote, can live on their own, legally anyway (this is all assuming you're in the U.S. of course). Also, the 12 year old surely has the physical and mental ability to cook food assuming they are a healthy normal 12 year old. All that you are doing by not letting your children cook food is handing your problem over to them; ie. you are "teaching" them to have the exact same problem you have. It's the same thing when parents pass on other, more typical, yet still unreasonable fears to their children; such as: fear of dogs, spiders, snakes, flying, etc., etc. If parents demonstrate these irrational fears to their children, they are just teaching them by their actions that being afraid of these things is correct behavior which is totally unfair to them.

Answer 3

That is rough, and I don't blame you for being nervous about your kids cooking!

By 12, the kid should be starting to learn how to cook though. With supervision. And by 18 the kid should be well able to handle a kitchen.

If you feel you can't handle it alone, get someone else to help teach your kids how to cook, so they'll be able to feed themselves when they move out of the house.

Good luck!

Answer 4

An 18 year old should have a job and that could very well be in a restaurant around slicers, knives, flames etc not to mention an 18 yo male is old enough to defend his country with a gun. Good grief, get yourself some couseling and let your children grow up.

Answer 5

Letting your kids cook would be educational for them.
Teach them never to touch the stove when its on.

How to turn it on/off, the dangers of the stove/oven.

What to do for minor burns, never to leave the stove unattended.

You want them to be cautious, smart, and aware of these things.

I wasn't allowed to touch the stove when I was under 12 years old but my parents did teach me one step at a time. They started with the toaster then microwave, then oven, then the stove came last.

Answer 6

I put something in a socket as a kid and got electrocuted. to this day i will change a car battery with gloves on and lightbulbs can be a nightmare on bad days.
I got a three-year old that is not allowed near anything to do with the mains. But one day i will have to let her plug her own stuff in..
You are doing your kids wrong. Sorry to say.

Answer 7

Don't want to use the word 'unfair,' as I know you are only trying to protect your kids. However, there are two reasons why I think you should work with your psychologist to help you to let them into the kitchen (with adult supervision, obviously), Firstly, children who grow up with a hands-on attitude to food are much less likely to be fussy eaters and more likely to enjoy a healthy diet, and secondly I feel it's unhealthy to pass on your emotional baggage and phobias to your children; they will have their own problems to confront.

Answer 8

I learned how to cook things by 12 already. When your 18 year old moves out, she/he will need to cook for him/herself. It's easier to learn in a supportive environment like the home.

Answer 9

you may want to placed some soup contained in the crock pot earlier you go away contained in the morning and characteristic soup and bread bowls (or only soup). or, if you're the shape of man or woman who would not recommendations ingesting breakfasty ingredients. right it truly is an truly exciting, extremely quick theory. omelets in a bag. only have the youngsters crack a pair eggs into their own ziplock bag enable them upload their own cheese, ham, vegetables, inspite of they prefer of their omelets. in spite of everything the substances are further to the bag. enable them smoosh and shake each little thing so its all blended together. then upload the baggage to boiling water and enable them prepare dinner. it only takes a jiffy (i'd say probable a lot less then 10). at the same time as they are carried out pour the omelets out onto a plate (they slide proper out) and viola! i like this because freshen up is tremendous effortless. the youngsters have exciting making their own little omelets. and whats fit than eggs?

Answer 10

it's because of your fears and the fact that you love them that you see this as a hinderance.

I was 8, my sister 11 and my brother 7 when we first started cooking. It's no danger - it's actually fun and creative.

Try to start with small things, not to build up your children's confidence, but to build up yours. like egg and toasted soldiers or something like that. Not only is it good, but it will also mean that your children can make nutritious meals for themselves when they finally leave home.