Parenting Perspective 

For many children, meals simply seem to ‘arrive’. They sit down at the table, eat, and then leave—rarely pausing to consider the hours of planning, preparation, and effort that went into that plate. This expectation is not always rooted in arrogance; it often stems from invisibility. When children do not witness or participate in the process, they come to believe that meals are automatic, like water from a tap. 

The Hidden Labour of Meals 

Cooking is one of the most invisible forms of labour. Children see the food but rarely the chopping, cleaning, seasoning, stirring, and waiting. They miss the shopping trips, the decisions on budget, and the care that transforms raw ingredients into nourishment. Without exposure, they assume meals require little effort, reinforcing the belief that it is someone else’s permanent responsibility. 

From Entitlement to Appreciation 

The danger lies in entitlement: the belief that care is owed without reciprocation. A child who grows up never lifting a hand in the kitchen risks undervaluing the work of others. They may also struggle later in life, unable to cook or plan for themselves. The goal is not to guilt them, but to gently connect meals with effort and gratitude. 

Drawing Them into the Process 

Instead of demanding help, parents can invite children into the kitchen through small roles: stirring, setting the table, or washing vegetables. The act of involvement teaches that meals are built, not conjured. With time, children learn to value both the labour and the blessing of food. 

A Micro-Action to Try 

When serving a meal, simply say, ‘This took time to prepare. Would you like to help with one small step next time?’ This shifts the narrative from expectation to appreciation. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, food is more than physical fuel; it is a blessing and a trust. Recognising the labour behind it is part of gratitude. To expect meals without participation or thanks is to overlook both the human effort and the divine generosity that brought it to the table. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Abasa (80), Verses 24-25: 

‘Then let mankind observe (empirically at the processes in) the production of His nourishment; how We (Allah Almighty) infuse water (inside and outside of the nourishment) in abundance.’ 

This verse draws attention to the unseen processes that bring food to us. Just as Allah Almighty reminds us of the hidden labour of nature, parents can remind children of the hidden labour of meals at home. 

It is recorded in 40 Hadith Al Nawawi, Hadith 25, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He is not grateful to Allah who is not grateful to the people.’ 

Appreciating meals includes appreciating those who prepare them. By teaching children that food requires effort and deserves gratitude, parents nurture humility and awareness. Helping in the kitchen becomes not just a skill, but an act of thankfulness to both Allah Almighty and family members. 

Over time, children who are guided to witness and share in kitchen work will no longer expect meals to simply appear. They will begin to see each plate as the result of care, patience, and divine provision. Such awareness transforms eating from entitlement into gratitude, and helping in the kitchen from drudgery into service and growth.