Training

August 30th, 2007

It is an interesting word. Wikipedia defines Training as the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relates to specific useful skills. It forms the core of apprenticeship. Isn’t that a wonderful way to think about working with your children, apprenticing them to be fully formed adults?  It keeps the big picture in view during the day to day grind.  It also helps me remember that I am to be the “master” trainer (being trained by the ultimate Master)and that I need to continue working on me as I am working with them.  I am choosing to view it as “team development”. 

We are currently “apprenticing” our children in the skilled art of eating whatever is put in front of them without “whining or complaining”.  Let me say for children 6, 4 and almost 3…..it is a skill to be learned.  It is also something I need to be intentional about by offering a wide variety of foods and at least something new each week.  I realized, when we go to Peru for a month in Feb. my kids are going to be miserable if I don’t tackle this picky issue now. We asked the children, “What happens when you are grown ups and someone invites you to their home as guests, and they present you a beautiful plate of food that you have never seen before, and you don’t know how to act or  are too scared to eat it?  Whose fault would it be?”  They thought for a moment and Jackson said “Yours?”  We were able to have a whole conversation about how we are helping them learn how to do things they don’t want to do now.  It is a core skill that will serve them well in life. 

They say it takes 28 days to form a new skill or habit.  We are one week into being very intentional about this and we are already seeing fruit.  Last night our daughter (the very picky one) ate everything on her plate without even a word.  It was even something she would of turned her nose up at even a week ago.  Baby steps will take us there.  Our dear friends who are missionaries in Peru (who now have a great blog) sent us a great recipe to help broaden our culinary horizons. This is going on the weekly menu plan for sure.  I will post it here for your sampling enjoyment as well.  I will post pictures next week. 

Papa Rellena (Stuffed Potato)Ingredients:
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1 lb. hamburger
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins, plumped
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- 3 boiled eggs, cut lengthwise
- Black olives
- Oil

(Serves 4)

Preparation: 
Sauté the hamburger, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and raisins until cooked through.  Set aside to cool.  Mix together the potatoes, flour, and egg (Make sure that the ingredients are cool). 
Flour the palm of your hand and put in it a couple of heaping Tbsp. (or so) of the potato mixture.  Pat it flat and round, like a pancake.   Place a Tbsp. (or so) of meat mixture in the center, a piece of hard boiled egg, and a black olive and with well-floured hands, fold top of potato over to completely close it up. It will look like a giant egg.  Repeat with remaining ingredients.  Heat oil until very hot.  Flour hands and carefully lower a couple of the stuffed potatoes at a time into the very hot oil. Fry until golden brown.

 For more Child Training Tips visit Sallie’s Blog.

Entry Filed under: Training Kids, Favorite Recipes, Family