The Skill Most Kids Are Missing Before Adulthood (And How to Start Teaching It Today) with katie kimball
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We’re raising kids… but are we preparing them?
There’s a quiet tension a lot of parents feel:
We want our kids to be capable, independent, confident. That’s what we talk about all day here at My Outdoorsy Mom.
But somewhere between busy schedules and trying to “help,” we end up doing more for them than we realize.
In this episode, Katie Kimball from Raising Healthy Families brings us back to something simple—but powerful:
Kids need real skills.
Why cooking is more than just cooking
Katie calls cooking a gateway skill.
Because once kids step into the kitchen, they’re also learning:
problem solving
planning
communication
confidence
responsibility
And maybe most importantly…they start to see themselves as someone who contributes.
The mindset shift parents need first
One of the biggest barriers? Time. Teaching kids does slow you down (trust me, I can attest to this.)
Especially at first. But Katie reframes it as a long-term investment:
Short-term inconvenience → long-term independence. And eventually… fewer meals you have to cook 😅
How to actually teach kids without losing your mind
The mistake most parents make? Trying to teach during the dinner rush.
Instead:
teach new skills during calm moments (weekends, after breakfast)
break tasks into small pieces
let kids contribute with one skill at a time
This keeps it manageable—and actually enjoyable for both of you.
Why this matters more than ever
In a world of AI, convenience food, and instant everything, the goal isn’t just knowledge anymore – it’s capability.
Katie puts it this way:
Kids need to know they can solve problems.
They can figure things out.
They can take care of themselves.
Cooking as an antidote to anxiety
This part of the conversation really stands out: When kids don’t know how to do things, life feels like something happening to them. But when they have real skills?
They become active participants in their own lives. That builds confidence. And that confidence reduces anxiety.
Even teens who “aren’t interested”
If your teen is rolling their eyes at the idea of cooking, Katie says don’t take it at face value. It’s discomfort masked as disinterest. They don’t know how to do it yet. And once you lower the barrier and meet them where they are? Everything changes.
And because Katie is awesome, she's sharing a free full-length preview of her new e-course Teens Cook Real Food with My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast listeners. Watch the preview!
Want the full episode? 🎧Listen to Episode 34
