During the Alton Brown “Eat Your Science” show, he took questions from the audience. One involved when to cook with your kids and the benefits thereof. He advocating starting with your kids when they’re three or four. He explained the benefits of cooking with your kids, which includes making them healthier and more self reliant. 

I agree completely. Personally, I started cooking with my son right before he turned two. One reason I did this was because your son always wants to do what his daddy does. He was curious and wanted to help. Furthermore, I found when he helps, he was more eager to eat what was made rather than just asking for cookies, chips, or other kinds of junk food.  I also encourage cooking with your children because it teaches them patience and how to follow instructions. Lastly, I encourage cooking with your child because it’s bonding time. Every Saturday and Sunday, we go to the kitchen once we wake up to make breakfast. I love that time together. 

Like Alton Brown, I started with eggs because it’s nutritious, delicious, and pretty hard to mess up. The first time I cooked eggs with my son, he basically watched. Now, he participates. Here’s how we do it. 

First, I assemble everything we need:

I assembled enough eggs to cook breakfast for the family. There’s a pat of butter to grease the pan. There’s a Spurtle for me and a spoon for him. I like using the silicon because it doesn’t conduct heat thereby greatly reducing the chances of him burning himself. As for the bowl, you want something shallow enough your child can scramble the eggs but deep enough so you can prevent as much spillage as possible. 
After that, it’s time to break some eggs:

  
It was only recent that I allow my son to crack the eggs himself. The reason is egg shells could contain salmonella. It’s very important that not only your child, but also you wash your hands after cracking the eggs. At first, I would hold my son’s hands as he did this, but now he’s able to do it himself, and he knows if he gets anything on him he needs to wash his hands immediately. 

When you let your child crack the eggs, expect a lot of shells.  At first, I tried a sieve, but the eggs are too dense to easily pass through plus you have another dish to clean. By the way, cleaning a sieve is a massive pain. No, you’re really just going to need to pick them out. The best time to do it is when your child is washing their hands. 

Once everyone’s hands are clean, it’s time to scramble the eggs:

  
Yes, he did this himself. Yes, this was conveniently the first time he’s done it without spilling the eggs outside the bowl. At this time, you can add whatever you typically want whether it’s milk, cheese, broccoli, etc. I’ve found scrambled eggs are a good way to sneak in vegetables for your child to eat. With broccoli, chop it up in the food processor to get it fine this way it gets into every bite. Otherwise, you child can eat around it if he/she wants.  

In any event, it’s also a good time to wash yours and your child’s hands again. 

Whatever you do, once the eggs are scrambled, it’s time to actually start cooking the eggs:

  
Two notes here. First, I removed the nobs so he can’t start turning on burners. Second, the pan is not on at this point. I let my son put the butter in, and then I move the pan to a back burner. I don’t want him accidentally touching the pan or getting too close to the flame. In any event, I move it to the back burner and tilt it so he can see the butter melt. It’s an opportunity to explain to him why the butter melts while also exhibiting why we don’t touch things that are hot. At this point, it’s time to cook the eggs:

  
As you can see from the photo, he can only reach the pan with the spoon, but he can’t actually touch the pan. I usually get my son involved once the eggs are cooking. Note, we worked up to this stage. For a very long time, I held him with one arm while I cooked with the other.  Then I let him hold the spoon while I manipulated his hand to cook the eggs. 

Overall, just be careful. There is no need to let your child be involved in this or any other stage until they show they are ready. 

Another note, I like the spoon because it allows your child to serve themself. Once the eggs are cooked, I take out my son’s plate, and I hold his arm and body to make sure all he can do is scoop the eggs out of the pan and into his bowl. I use a bowl instead of a plate because it’s easier for him to carry it to the table without spilling anything. Once at the table, it’s time to taste:

  
If all goes right, your child will be left shouting “Hooray!”

This has been a difficult start to the season, and I don’t mean just because of the Mets perplexing series loss to the Phillies. 

No, with the early season schedule it has been difficult to watch the games. I caught Opening Day and Saturday’s game. However, I had to listen to the two weekday games on the radio at work. Today, it was a nice sunny day, and I couldn’t sit inside all day inside with my son. He wanted to go out and do things. He may love watching the Mets, but it’s very difficult to get a toddler to sit still inside on a nice day. 

So, instead we drove to the Boardwalk and had some fun. Through the miracles of technology, I was able to listen to the game on the radio. However, my main focus was my son. It has to be. I got distracted from the game. I was aware that the Mets were losing. I had a concept of what was happening. That’s the benefit of listening to Howie Rose instead of John Sterling. By the way, Howie was again great today. However, I didn’t get a feel for the game. 

Instead, my son and I were getting a good feel for the rings at the ring toss:

  
We were told that only 10-15 people win a year. We were told no one has won this year. We were undeterred. Unlike the Mets batters against what can be a historically bad Phillies bullpen, we came to win. As the Mets were going down meekly in the bottom of the ninth, a ring was floating in the air. When the ring landed, we were the Top Banana:

  
It’s funny. In 2012 and 2013, I couldn’t imagine listening to a Mets game on the radio when I wasn’t at work. My wife and I would’ve run our errands after the game was over. She would be rolled her eyes, but she understands. And that’s when the Mets were bad. 

Now, when the Mets may be in their way to winning another World Series, I couldn’t have been happier being out and about with my son. I’m thrilled to have this giant banana that I have no room for in my house. Normally, the Mets losing two out of three to the Phillies would’ve ruined my day, weekend, and/or life. Now, I’m very irritated at the losses, but I was able to quickly get past it because I had a great day out with my son. 

There are days where being a parent is trying.  However, an average run of the mill fun day like this makes it all worthwhile. You’re able to put things in their proper perspective. You can still enjoy your day after the Mets do all they can do to ruin it. Fatherhood makes you a better person. You get so many positive things out of the experience. 

And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you go home with a giant banana.