My kids have been around enough while I am cooking or working in the kitchen that I expect them to absorb some basic skills.  Some areas of proficiency will never be learned in my kitchen, like boiling lobsters alive or cooking liver.   Kids learn best when they are paying attention, which apparently they don't always do.  Becoming familiar with the recipes or practices of other people will happen when they come in contact with them. 

 
My son Mike has had a cold, that is accompanied by a bit of a sore throat.  No temperature, just a little discomfort.  He has been preparing for an audition and one of his drama classmates suggested chamomile tea with honey and lemon.  So Mike requested that I go buy some chamomile tea.  We don't drink tea in our family, but occasionally I bring some herbal tea home from hotels when I travel, so I went out to the garage to try and find some.  I don't think I have ever fixed anyone in my family a cup of tea before, but I thought that I could figure it out.  

Here's where the paying attention comes in.  When I came back into the house, I found Mike pouring honey into a cup - a lot of it - and preparing to drink the cup…of honey.  I asked him what he was doing.  He said "Drinking a cup of honey".  "No, no, no", I replied.  "I don't think that would be good for you at all."  He looked a little puzzled.  I said "It's supposed to be a cup of chamomile tea with a little honey and lemon."  He smiled, started to laugh and proceeded to finish the cup…without the tea and lemon.  Blah!

Inexperienced in the world of tea, that's me, and that carries on to my children.  It goes to show that you can't count on anyone just knowing anything!  He's not so small anymore, but I think he's pretty darn funny!