During your divorce, you might have a hard time carving out time for the kids… especially now that school is back in session. Lots of families face similar issues, but there’s an easy solution that many psychologists suggest is actually better than cramming too much into already-busy schedules: including kids in day-to-day activities. Your kids, no matter how old they are, want to spend time with you.
Whether your child custody agreement gives you ample time with the kids or only gives you a handful of hours, sharing everyday activities with your children can solidify your bond (and, if it involves time in the kitchen, results in plenty of delicious snacks that you can all enjoy).
Rolling Pins, Measuring Cups and Baking Pans… Oh My!
“When kids are in the kitchen with you, it creates a sense of closeness,” says Dr. Renee Clauselle, a New York child and family psychologist. During or after a divorce, your kids need that more than ever. What better time than fall to start exploring the joy of cooking together?
Keeping it simple helps add to the enjoyment—and if you’re feeling really generous, you can give them a free pass on doing the dishes afterward if they pitch in. These kid-friendly and healthy fall treat recipes are almost dummy-proof… almost.
Crispy Cinnamon Apples
Start these right after school and you’ll have a fantastic after-dinner snack just in time.
What you need:
- baking sheet
- 2 apples
- 1 tsp. cinnamon-sugar mix
What to do:
Pre-heat your oven to 225 degrees.
- Slice the apples as thinly as you can (if you have a slicing grater, even better)
- Put the slices on a cookie sheet (cover it with foil first for easier clean-up)
- Sprinkle each with a very small amount of cinnamon-sugar mix (you don’t need more than a teaspoon for 20 slices)
Bake for 1 hour; flip and bake them for another hour. Turn off the oven but leave the apples inside to crisp. Once the apples are completely cool, they’re ready to enjoy.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Sticks
These take about 15 minutes to make and 15 minutes to cool, but expect to lose some chocolate and a few pretzels on the way.
What you need:
- 1 bag of pretzel sticks
- 1 bag of white chocolate candy melts
- Wax paper
What to do:
Put a handful chocolate candy melts on a plate and microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for 15 seconds. Continue (but only microwave for a few seconds at a time or you’ll burn them) until all the chocolate is melted.
- Drag one end of each pretzel stick through the chocolate, swirling it around to make sure it’s covered
- Place coated pretzel sticks on wax paper; once your wax paper is full, stick it in the refrigerator to cool and harden
When you’re ready, just lift the pretzel sticks from the wax paper and enjoy!
Spending Time Together Means More to Your Kids than the Snacks Do
The tasty treats you create are just a side benefit of spending time with your kids. While you’re preparing these snacks, encourage your kids to have an open dialogue with you. You can answer their questions about divorce, help them feel more comfortable about their new living arrangements or just chat about everyday issues affecting their lives. The important part is that you’re making time for them between meetings with your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer, work and other obligations—and they’ll thank you for it someday.
If you don’t feel you’re getting a fair amount of time with your children, let your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer know. He or she may be able to change your child custody and visitation agreement so you can enjoy their company more often.
