Oh joyous …The pre-Christmas season is here! Isn’t it wonderful when everything is really cosy? When the family gathers around the dining table for tea and everything is festively decorated? And of course, there’s the traditional biscuit baking, right? We think back fondly to our childhood days when we were allowed to help in the kitchen, and now it’s our turn to initiate our children into the art of Christmas cookie baking. Full of energy we set to work, in our mind’s eye we see ourselves with our children with red cheeks and happily singing, placing perfect shapes on baking trays.
STOP!!! Unfortunately, I have to pull you out of your daydreams, because it is more than likely that the bakery will not turn out exactly as we imagine it. But to make sure it doesn’t end in complete disaster, I’ve written down some ideas based on my experiences that can at least help you to intercept or avoid certain developments in advance. I’ve already had a few baking sessions with my children and even though every child is different, there are some patterns that repeat themselves. So: What’s the secret of baking Christmas Cookies with children without a nervous breakdown?
Planning
Planning is the be-all and end-all. First, of course, we have the timing. When is the optimal time? When we are not in a rush, of course, because we quickly get stressed under time pressure. But especially with children there are other factors to consider: If possible, not when they are tired, because they quickly get grumpy. Also not right before lunch or dinner, because otherwise they will be hungry and stuff themselves with the dough, and of course we also want to taste the baked result and preferably not right before the meal…
We should definitely take into account the children’s concentration span. We ourselves may plan to bake several varieties or complicated figures. But children quickly become impatient if they can’t join in and if they don’t succeed, and even if they are having fun, very few want to spend an hour or two in the kitchen. So, when choosing recipes, make sure that they are easy and quick and that the children can actively help according to their age.
Not to forget: It is also important to plan which cookies are to be baked so that the ingredients can be bought accordingly. There is nothing worse than suddenly realising in the middle of making a cake that one of the main ingredients is missing.
Setting expectations
This is true for the children as well as for us adults.
Of course I have my ideas about what I would like to bake, but I have often found that my children have their own priorities. They like biscuits to cut out or at least something they can roll or decorate. So if I have something else in mind, I might want to schedule it for a time when I can work alone in the kitchen.
Besides, the result is not always 100% as we thought it would be. My children, for example, love the Easter bunny cookie cutter, regardless of whether a Christmas star or Father Christmas would be more appropriate. Or they press the cookies extra flat on the tray, the heart shape is hardly recognisable … Not so bad, right? Exactly, if you’ve reckoned with it from the start. If I know all this in advance or make myself aware of it, I can prepare myself for it and am not frustrated when things don’t turn out as I had imagined.
It is also important for the children that we prepare them for what we expect of them: clean hands, no flour fight, and that we tell them in good time what kind of biscuits will be baked, so that they don’t have a completely different idea in their head and are disappointed afterwards.
Distribute tasks
We should also clearly communicate the distribution of tasks. Parents are more likely to do the rolling out, especially with younger children. If you don’t want to end up with twice as much flour in the dough as in the recipe, you can prepare the ingredients in small bowls beforehand so that the children only have to put them together in the large dough bowl.
Compromise and empathy
Especially when you are baking with more than one child, it is a wonderful chance for them to learn how compromises have to be made and that they also have to wait sometimes. The ingredients can be put into the bowl in turn, they are stirred in turn, the dough is used together for cutting or everyone gets their own piece and the pastry is divided accordingly. Does all this happen without arguing? Of course not.
My little one is currently in the phase where she gets frustrated very quickly. When she gets a no, but also when she is not able to do something or we don’t understand her, she throws herself on the floor with a pout. Of course, this is not ideal when you are working with your hands glued to the dough. It is all the more important to be responsive to the children, to help them if they want to, but also to let them try things out for themselves. I still find it difficult to do this myself, especially when in my opinion my child is crying due to what in my eyes is a trivial thing and I actually have a thousand other things on my mind that I should be doing. It can be helpful if our partner steps in and gives us a helping hand.
And then there is of course the secret ingredient that we often lack (me included, obviously) but that is key for a baking session that does not end up in frustration and tears:
Patience, patience, patience.
Later, when we all sit together with a cup of tea and eat the homemade cookies, we are happy that the effort was worth it and have almost forgotten the less beautiful moments.
And what advice do you have to share? What helps you and your family to have a relaxed afternoon baking?
I wish you a happy baking season and a wonderful Christmas time!
Think everyone is better at doing things than you?
Think again and read my post on the importance of living your own life in order to be happy.
