How to encourage teens to cook

The Golden Arches and the jingle run for the Border may keep your teenager out of the kitchen but with some coaxing and creative ideas they will come back. Encouraging teens to cook takes some inspiration and patience. Chef Boyardee wasn't born over night. Your teenager will need to start out small and work their way up. Be supportive and let them know how good it was that they cooked, that the food tasted good (even if it did have too much pepper) or if they fail that next time they will get better.

One idea for that would be for family or church events. If you have a family or church gathering coming up make something yourself and let your teenager thumb through the cookbooks to find something they would want to cook themselves. Letting them choose items to cook or bake will get them interested in the process. Take them shopping for the ingredients and assist them while they prepare their item. It will also give you some time to talk to your teen, which we all know is a precious commodity.

Another idea for encouraging your teen to participate in the cooking chore is to set a day each week where everyone in your family takes a turn cooking. Now you may start out by eating hot dogs and chips but if you encourage them it may grow into something more appetizing. Letting the teens pick out their lunch or dinner menu, go shopping for the ingredients will not only get them cooking but will also teach them responsibility. Taking them to the grocery store they can learn to compare prices, brands and ingredients.

If you child is a picky eater then what better way to get them to finish a meal then to let them cook it themselves. Allowing them control over the food choices will ensure they like it will finish it without starting a family war. Avoiding family war is what every parent wishes for, so this may be your opportunity to bring peace to the family dinner table.

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