SC - OOP: Re: Harry Potter foodies

[Laura C. Minnick]

Greetings,
        I have been following the posts regarding kids helping in the
kitchen at events. I have 4 daughters ages 18mos, to 9 yrs. The older three
are always eager to find a way to help at events. They regularly do
water-bearing ( the 9 yr old did3 consecutive hours last Gulf Wars)
and serve beverages at events. The system they use is for the 5 year old to
ask if anyone would like a beverage then guide the older kids with the
pitchers to the tables where needed. The younger one also serves seconds on
breads and such. They also manage to find things to do in the kitchen. The
older ones (7 & 9) stir pots, mix lemonade, run errands around the site, and
prepare trays of bread, cheese, and butter for serving. The younger (5)
empties garbage bags and fetches ingredients from the ice chest, organizes
serving platters, etc. The girls also help with kitchen clean up by checking
the tables for remaining trays and platters after the feast and drying the
dishes.  These girls have done these chores of their own free will. It was
actually their idea to begin helping. They started helping me with kitchen
clean up when the oldest was 6. They now work in the kitchen whether or not
I am there and even work at events outside our Barony.
       There really isn't much for kids under 18 to do  in the SCA other
than children's activities at events and my girls quickly become bored with
that. They have learned several A&S projects and enter every competition
they attend.They took the time to find for themselves things to keep busy
and be able to participate in the game. They have also found other ways to
help. My oldest is a page and my 5 and 7 yaer olds are ladies-in-waiting to
Baronesses. I think if everyone would take only a moment of time to think
there can be many things found to help children learn to be productive
members of theSCA. The early lessons last the longest.

Lady Tabitha Baker


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