How to Make French Toast

Sometimes I forget my daughter Abigail is only 10 years old. And when I say forget, what I mean by this is that her life experience is limited in comparison to mine. Her life centered around friends, family, school, church, and sports. In contrast, by the time I was her age, I was experienced in the kitchen beyond my age pulling together snacks and meals for my siblings and I to eat while my parents were at work. And although Abigail does help me in the kitchen, she only knows how to make a couple dozen or so dishes all by herself. Sometimes I forget this. I assume she knows more than she does because she sees me cooking in the kitchen often.

Tonight, while I was cutting strawberries on the brink of needing to be thrown out, Abigail started to ask me about what I planned on doing with the berries. Maybe I'll make French toast or pancakes, and we can top them off with the strawberries, I hurriedly responded. I have a great idea, why don't you make French toast tomorrow? I asked her this for a couple of reasons but I would be lying if I didn't admit there was a part of me that liked the idea of me not having to make breakfast. French toast? I don't know how to make French toast, she replied. What?! Of course, you do. You know how to make pancakes and eggs. You know how to make French toast, I responded. No, I don't. You never taught me. Abigail quickly said as she stuffed her mouth with fresh sliced strawberries coated with sugar. Well, I couldn't argue with her. I guess I just assumed she knew how to make French toast. Doesn't everyone know how to make French toast? My train of thought about this is similar to my assumption that how everyone knows how to make scrambled eggs. But the truth is, not everyone knows how to make scrambled eggs; my husband is proof of this.

Then I realized that Abigail's cooking repertoire was limited to the recipes I'd taught her to make for herself. She is at a great age for me to teach her more, starting with the basics. So, today I have an easy and basic recipe for French toast. If you have elementary-aged children, go and grab them and use this recipe as an opportunity to teach them (and maybe yourself) how to make French toast. Cooking is a valuable life skill they can build upon as they grow older. Watch their confidence grow and maybe, just maybe, they'll be making French toast for you in the near future.