Salad and Independence

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,

I don’t know about everyone else, but as a homeschooling mother – I gladly welcome any type of help I can get around the house (not many volunteers, though 🙂 except for Expert “Messer-Uppers”). Besides that, sometimes the kiddos actually want to help, but I worry about their safety. And – as kids – they often think they can do something that they really shouldn’t try (at least not yet).

That’s why I was so excited, masha’Allah, when we watched a children’s cooking program online and saw the instructor talk about something I had never heard of – a plastic knife for kids to make salad. My kiddos are always asking to help in the kitchen – especially when it comes to making salad. However, I first worried about their safety. Then, I thought if I broke down and let them help – I imagined tomatoes cut with a butter knife – know what I mean? Squash! We’ve been on the lookout for this knife since we saw that video – but we couldn’t find it anywhere. Then, this afternoon we found it, masha’Allah!

So, this evening the girls decided they wanted to make their own salad – and boy, did I let them! It was nice to see them so excited – and able to do something all grown up, masha’Allah. So, each child cut up parts of the salad – even the preschooler – and everyone was quite excited. Afterward, they dug in and ate their own homemade salad (pictured above).

Now, I am giggling a bit inside when I say this – because as I type this they are eating their salad. Why am I giggling, you ask? Because of the conversation they are having. “This is the best salad I have ever eaten!” and “Masha’Allah – this salad is delicious!” As I said, they can get quite excited. Now, I’m actually going to have my helpers in the kitchen making salad each night – yeah – one less thing for me to rush to do, masha’Allah – and they are learning a little bit about being independent – who could ask for more?

I’ve also heard that this knife can cut bread as well – I know it cut everything well for the salad – including carrots (which I was surprised about, masha’Allah). Now I’m going to have to find other ways to include them in the kitchen as well – they are so curious and love cooking and food. Any suggestions?

Just as a side note – my kiddos this morning woke up and excitedly asked “can we have salad for breakfast?!?” I guess I have a good thing going here, masha’Allah!

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,

Sumayyah Umm SAA