6 Tips to Get Your Canning Done With Young Children

 

1. Don’t do it all at once – save some for a different day if possible. Tomatoes or chicken can be frozen and done later, and most produce will keeps couple days in the fridge or cold storage. Spreading the work out over a few days or even weeks helps it not get so stressful.
2. Involve your children in the canning process if you can, keeping safety in mind. It can be something as simple as turning off the timer when it beeps to alert you that the the peas have blanched sufficiently, or using a butter knife to chop rhubarb with you. I know it can get a little hairy to have them help, but it entertains them, and in time they will be more help than hindrance!
3. Sometimes you just need to work alone tho, especially when there are hot jars to consider, so pull out the interesting toys or fun snacks to keep them occupied while you work.
4. Don’t worry about cooking lunch. Your family will not die if they eat cereal or granola for lunch on days you’re busy canning.
5. Good equipment can save you tons of time. My pressure canner holds 14 quart, and I’ve been thankful for it so many times. Having big pots for water bathing can cut your time in half!
6. Try to do your canning on days when you don’t have much else planned. It’ll help with the stress levels. And never try to write a blog post the same day. It’s unhealthy for the liver.

Sorry this is so short, but I have sauerkraut to make and chow chow and rhubarb to can. I think tried to multi task too much on a canning day…

This is the way the pantry shelves are looking these days. I think there is something so beautiful about canned goods.