My boys have just recently been asking to make their own lunches at home. Part of me thinks, “Oh gosh, this is going to be a complete mess and they will probably be consuming something with less than 2% nutritional value.” But then I think about my role as their mom and that one day I DO want them to leave the nest and my husband and I can finally have the nice things in our house we dream of.
I need to teach my boys that they can do things on their own and that I trust them to try and even make mistakes. Why not start this lesson at home?
So when my almost 4 year old asked if he could make his lunch “by mine own,’” I jumped at the chance to foster his confidence at being independent.
“What ingredients do you need,” I asked.
“Bread, ham, cheese, and butter. And I need a metal knife.” he requested.
I then watched him give me a step by step tutorial on how to make a sandwich. Did I think I could have made a better sandwich? For sure. But did I love watching him do it and the smile on his face when he took his first bite? Absolutely.
“How to make a ham and cheese sandwich” By Jett Fenske age 4
- Start with bread, cheese, ham, butter and a metal knife.
- Cut your cheese in half (gold star to me for teaching my almost 4 year old about fractions).
3. Cut your bread in half (yes, I did so badly want to correct the direction he was cutting).
4. Stab your knife into the butter like you were putting a dagger in my mommy heart.
5. Spread the pea sized amount of butter, that you were able to retrieve from stabbing the butter container, onto your bread.
6. Add your cheese and meat.
7. Top with your other “half” of bread.
8. Take an instagram worthy picture.
9. Bon appetite!
10. Smile at your chef because he has just made his first lunch and you may eventually be able to hand over your apron and be relieved of your lunch lady duties.
The lesson I learned today: My kids will never learn to try things on their own unless I give them the freedom to fail.
He did well!
Great job by Jett, and a fantastic lesson.