Teaching the kids to grocery shop

 

We're doing a new thing around here in the new year. Audrey and Emma are doing their own laundry (can I get an Amen?) and they are both planning and shopping and cooking a couple of meals a week.

They're really excited about it. Well, about the menu planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. They're not convinced that laundry is fun. Yet.

Here's what we're doing. 

The girls flip through their cookbooks (Emma got a stack from Gran for Christmas) and pick out what they'd like to cook. A breakfast, a lunch, a dinner, and a snack.

They make a list of those recipes, noting which cookbook and page it's on. And they make a grocery list of ingredients they'll need. (After last week, they've decided to organize their lists--all the produce together, all the frozen food together, etc. Let's just say we did a lot of back and forth-ing!)

On the day we shop, they first shop at home, crossing off anything we already have. Then they each get their list and a pencil, their own cart, and off we go!

 

 A couple of things:

• I do review what they want to cook to make sure we have a balanced meal. But I don't review their lists. That's up to them. If we have to go back because they forgot something, we have to go back.
• This is fun if you decide it will be fun. Except for getting run over by their carts. I HATE getting hit in the back of the heels with a grocery cart. Ow!
• It's going to take more time. Lots more time. Especially the first couple of trips. So expect that and it'll help with deciding it'll be fun.
• After last week, the girls learned to organize their grocery carts, how they put stuff on the conveyor belt, how to put all the bags back in the cart, and how to pack the car. (Bread goes LAST! Heavy stuff goes FIRST!)
• And, yep, part of grocery shopping is putting the groceries away when you get home.

Here's their stack of cookbooks:

 

You can sort of see which ones they use if you click on the picture to make it bigger. There are loads of kids cookbooks out there--check places like libraries, Goodwill, and used bookstores. Ones with pictures are great. And ones with simple recipes with clear, easy directions.

Comments

[Angela]

What a great idea! I'm sure it takes lots of patience on your part - I'd be the kind of parent who would rather do it myself because it's easier. Your girls are going to thank you later. So are their husbands! ;-)

[angela]

Very fun -- I think it's time to start my boys on this! Great idea :)

[Kimberly]

I am a few years away from this but I love it. For my boys too! My husband's mom was a perfectionist and did not let me do anything. Plus I think it was more of the mentality back then...so he never learned.

Being a homeschooler I am sure the are using some Math in there, reading, comprehension! School never stops when you are home schooling!

[Beth]

I love this! We are also a few years away from this but they do already help plan meals. We'll definitely add more responsibility as they get older.

[Sharon]

What a great idea! I can't wait to have kids old enough to try this with.

[Kristy]

Sounds like fun - and a great idea!

Oh, I fear that bump in the heels too! Ouch!!

[Tanya]

Fabulous project for the kiddos!! I truly believe kids want to have a purpose and a job...and how much does it help the whole fam in the long run!! Inspiring :)

[Loney]

For the past few years we have made planning meals a family thing. My son is finally at the age to write the stuff down for what we need at the store. He knows by heart is favorite dessert and how to make it.(peach upside down cake). When shopping my son is in charge of all fruit and vegetable items. I even make the kids weigh stuff out. My daughter is in charge of making sure we get all the inner aisle stuff. With my daughter I make her keep a running total sometimes.
The Disney Magic Kitchen Cookbook is one of our favorites.

[rhonda]

Suddenly a cheer form high school came to mind.... We are proud of you! Say "We are proud of you". I am not kidding, as I was reading I thought " You go girl, you go!".

[mzzterry]

wow. the control freak in me is totally amazed that you are able to do this! this is great though!!

[Michelle]

This is so great! They will be fully prepared to enter the real world...what a gift you are giving them. I have thought to do this with my boys...and have yet to DO it. But the laundry thing...it's time.