KITCHEN GENERATIONAL GAP

The conversation started out rather weird.  My friend proclaimed, "My daughter doesn't want me in her kitchen!"  Sensing that this might turn into a rather lengthy conversation, I quickly sat down with an ear tuned to "just" listen.

It seems that my friend was lamenting the fact that when holidays come around her daughter and husband are insulted when she offers to help out in the kitchen.  "What's that about?" she wailed.
Evidently her younger generation takes offense, believing that Mom is implying that she can't cook!

Another friend joined the conversation  and we talked it out (about 30 minutes worth) until we arrived at a conclusion.

Here's the summary:

We concluded that there  must be a "kitchen generational gap" in existence now and WE (the moms and the grand moms alive today) are on the upper end of the age span.

WE remember great fun times of preparation of holiday dinners of years long ago.  At that time families lived near each other and when family gatherings happened there were MANY mouths to feed and help in the kitchen was greatly appreciated.  I recall my own experiences of peeling potatoes, dicing cheese, stirring up the dressing, and setting tables right along side several aunts, moms, grandmothers and girl cousins.  It was a social event that everyone anticipated.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without flour strewn everywhere, laughter, jokes, recipes shared, gossip,  spilled pickle juice, dishtowel slaps and dishpan hands.  The whole "women only" ordeal was anticipated as much as tree-trimming, shopping, singing carols and tucking the babies in for the night.

The men of the family were delegated outside to smoke or into the tiny living room to visit and be envious of what all was going on in the kitchen! If a male happened to sneak in for a bite of turkey fresh out of the oven or a finger-full of icing from the coconut cake, he was quickly reprimanded and sent back to his corner to wait!

We (my age group) are now learning that this culinary celebration no longer exists and sadly we must adjust to the new-fangled way of doing things. Today some young whippersnappers that have never experienced the frolicking holiday meal preparations of days gone by like to "do it themselves." To offer to help NOW is interpreted as an accusation of ineptitude.

What to do?  We came up with a plan.

Relish those past memories, but ENJOY this new freedom.  When the cooking starts, go find a grandchild and dream up some silly fun with them.  They're always ready for adventure.  It's a new day, go make a new tradition that doesn't involve kitchen WORK!

As M. Stewart would say, it's a GOOD THING!