Sometimes I realised we put (another) pressure on ourselves thinking “I must cook with my children, offer them the sensory activity etc” but while my oldest is very happy to work with me in the kitchen his younger sister doesn’t care too much about it, she prefers other activities but she happily comes when it’s time for tasting. I was very frustrated but it, then I tried to encourage her and we make her taste anything (most of the things in the end she doesn’t like or eat) but she’s so proud of herself and her role. I just hope it’s a way to build her personal relationship with food, that is different from others.
Loved your post. There's so much wisdom in it. I encouraged my kids to cook from an early age, and we ate a wide variety of foods. As adults with kids of their own now, they are doing the same thing with them, so I must've done something right! Loved that photo of Luna rolling out the pasta dough. When I showed it to my husband, he said, "Her arms aren't long enough!". It looks as though your girls are growing up with a good relationship with food (and wine!). You and your husband are doing a great job.
My daughter is much older than yours, but as a person on the autism spectrum she brings a lot of anxieties and fears into the kitchen (she’s scared of the heat of the stove and of knives) but she’s made so much progress.
I love your soup idea! I always make soups by sautéing things individually but of course they can be done Mariù style, I hadn’t thought of that. Michela has been trying recipes out and she loves soup, so we’ll have to try that!
Sometimes I realised we put (another) pressure on ourselves thinking “I must cook with my children, offer them the sensory activity etc” but while my oldest is very happy to work with me in the kitchen his younger sister doesn’t care too much about it, she prefers other activities but she happily comes when it’s time for tasting. I was very frustrated but it, then I tried to encourage her and we make her taste anything (most of the things in the end she doesn’t like or eat) but she’s so proud of herself and her role. I just hope it’s a way to build her personal relationship with food, that is different from others.
Loved your post. There's so much wisdom in it. I encouraged my kids to cook from an early age, and we ate a wide variety of foods. As adults with kids of their own now, they are doing the same thing with them, so I must've done something right! Loved that photo of Luna rolling out the pasta dough. When I showed it to my husband, he said, "Her arms aren't long enough!". It looks as though your girls are growing up with a good relationship with food (and wine!). You and your husband are doing a great job.
I just love your voice on this topic so much. ❤️
My daughter is much older than yours, but as a person on the autism spectrum she brings a lot of anxieties and fears into the kitchen (she’s scared of the heat of the stove and of knives) but she’s made so much progress.
I love your soup idea! I always make soups by sautéing things individually but of course they can be done Mariù style, I hadn’t thought of that. Michela has been trying recipes out and she loves soup, so we’ll have to try that!
Love the pasta photo. So great!
Great ideas here, Emiko!! Thanks for bringing the importance of happiness and connectedness to food--so important for all ages!
Always full of good and practical advice, so thank you 🙏
Love all of it! And how precious that mud pies “cookbook” sounds.
Another great and insightful article with lots of brilliant points and ideas--thank you Emiko!