Canning with kids
Anything you do around the home or farm with kids always takes twice as long. Some days it's no big deal but some days I am in a hurry and it really slows me down. I’ve had to learn to start chores earlier when we have plans afterwards and to just slow down some days. But you know there's always going to be days where I don’t plan ahead and I lose my patience. That's okay too.
As we were picking beans last week I tried to embrace the helpers and let them help for a bit then go play once they got bored. It's important to me that they learn by watching and helping. I get to spend quality time with them as we talk and snap beans. One day they may want to do the same and they will continue the tradition.
Over the years I have learned a few tips that make those long days just a little easier.
First my kitchen is always in use so it's never tidy, especially in the summer, there's veggies everywhere, canning supplies and milk supplies just all over the place. So I don’t wait until my kitchen is cleaned to start. I just clear out the sink and the counter space I need to get started. Then as I am watching the canner and regulating the pressure that's when I clean up the kitchen. (Or write this)
Set small goals. One year I canned all day, until 9pm and I was so worn out I didn’t want to anymore that year. I was burnt out. So now I set small goals. I do 1-2 canners full a day. A canner full for me is 7 quart jars. Doing 7-14 jars a day actually adds up quickly. Plus that's just the afternoon of my day and I can still have time to make supper.
Don’t bring all your canning items in the house at the same time. Just what you need. I used to keep all my supplies in a big box and bring in more than enough jars at a time then my kitchen was too full and it was overwhelming. Now I keep all my regular sized lids and rings in a shoe box that I can bring in and only enough jars for that day's canning. This takes up a lot less space and the clutter isn’t overwhelming.
Kids are always right there wanting to help. So I try to hand out tasks to them if they want to help. Little Luke likes to put a pinch of salt in the jars and hand me the lids and rings. Rachel likes to help me put the veggies in the jars. Older boys like picking the veggies and then playing outside while I can.
Focus on one thing at a time. I like to focus on just one food at a time in a day. If you have extras of something just put them in the fridge until the next day. Don't overwhelm yourself. Canning should be a lot of work but enjoyable enough that you can stand back and look at your jars with pride and not dread the next time.
Remember kids learn by watching and helping. They will make it harder but they will be learning too. And one day it will pay off and they can really help out. A family works together and takes care of each other and they learn that by watching.
Enjoy those foods year round! Talk about how much work they put into your meals and that you appreciate all their help so you can eat that delicious meal.
But some days you just gotta kick those kids outside, turn up the radio and have a day in the kitchen to yourself, and THAT'S OKAY!!!
Happy canning!
