Seems so perverse of us to do away with something wonderful from the past, something so beneficial, just because in today’s world it presents certain problems. It seems much wiser to brainstorm for solutions and modifications. We so often tend to throw out the baby with the bath water when we meet up with a complication. Just because the bath water is dirty doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice the baby! How about changing the bath water?

Mom has a job outside the home today so dad will have to go equal on the meals-making, with the children being included at every stage. Because they are involved in meal planning, the children need to learn many valuable food prep skills as well as facts of nutrition and the balancing of meals. Because their choices are not made frivolously but intelligently, the children gain self-worth and an experience of value to their community. It can all be so win-win.

Mom and dad cooking, serving and cleaning up, together or taking turns, with the children involved, can be powerful stuff for children’s development. The family togetherness and good nutrition as well as the joint effort can be FUN, not a burden on anyone! And everyone can both make special requests for the week and enjoy one another’s choices. Instead of complaining, one person might occasionally make a peanut butter sandwich for himself, if he just could not bring himself to appreciate the evenings fare. But complain? How rude that would be!

Read the article at PBS.org