When Mom And Dad Are Gone - Do Your Kids Cook?

Do You Let Your Kids Cook When Your Gone?  My daughter is not quite to the age where we need to worry about leaving her by herself, let alone let alone decide if she will be cooking.  I do feel it is a good thing to discuss with your child.  I feel there should be very clear rules for the kitchen when mom and dad are gone and you should discuss these rules with your kids.    

• No using the oven or stove.
• No knifes.  No cutting of any kind of food.

Theses would be mu MUST rules for kids "cooking" in the kitchen while mom and dad are gone.  I also believe each child is different.  It is very hard to pick a specific age when a child would be ready.  One child could be responsible at 12 whereas another child could not be ready for a couple more years.

Here is a fun, easy and kid-friendly recipe for children to make while mom and dad are gone.  

Pizza Pocket

What Ingredients You Will Need:

1 6 1/2" whole-wheat pita (cut in half to make 2 pockets)

1/4 cup of pizza sauce

1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 oz. turkey pepperoni or 2 slices of Canadian bacon

What Utensils You Will Need:

1 tbsp measuring spoon

1/4 cup measuring cup

spoon for scooping and spreading sauce

1 microwave safe plate

What Mom And Dad Can Do In Advance:

1. Open the jar or can of pizza sauce and close gently or place in plastic container and store sauce so it's easy to reach.
2. Be sure the pitas are cut in half.  
3. Be sure the mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and/or Canadian bacon are open so no cutting will be needed. 

Let's Cook!!

1. Place each pita half (2 pockets on a microwave safe plate.
2. Spoon 2 tablespoons pizza sauce into each half and spread around with spoon.
3. Add slices of pepperoni or Canadian bacon.
4. Measure 1/4 cup of cheese and sprinkle into 1 pocket.  Repeat for other pocket.
5. Lay pocket flat on plate and place in microwave for about 30 seconds.  Check to see if cheese is melted.  If not, try another 15 seconds and recheck.  You do not want it to bee too hot or it will burn your tongue.
6. Remove and enjoy!

Makes 2

Serving size: 1 pocket (1/2 pita)

Nutrition (per serving)

258 calories

19 g protein

10 g fat

22 g carbohydrates

2 g fiber

52 mg cholesterol

1000mg sodium (to reduce, use veggies or lower sodium meat as the topping)

219 mg calcium

3 mg iron

This recipe is designed so the child can easily understand all the steps.  This would definitely be a recipe I would allow my daughter to make when we are gone.  

What are your thoughts?  So you allow your children to cook when mom and dad are gone?  So you have specific rules that have been discussed with them?