This doesn’t actually help them. They’ll just make cereal, ramen, whatever’s easiest (or just eat junk / order in if they have the means). Have them help with the cooking. Make them responsible for part(s) of the family dinner, while showing them how to do it. Just cutting them loose without the tools doesn’t do them or their future partners any good.

I cook Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is fend for yourself, Friday is Pizza and Saturday is sandwiches!

They should really be responsible for feeding the family one night a week so they learn to do that.

as a person who's mom did this, absolutely it's okay! if they want something not available then they can provide it (assuming they have money lol) but otherwise it helps with learning to cook and make meals that suit your needs. perfectly normal

My teenager picks a meal she will cook for the family, makes sure we have the ingredients and if not adds them to the shopping list. She does this once a week at the moment and is building up her cooking skills and I get a rest. Even if she wants me around when she cooks it is better than me planning and cooking everything

Just started doing this and it’s great!

Another take- have them each take a week night to provide a meal for the entire family. My 15 yr old cooked 2 nights a week all through high school. We ate a lot of Tacos and chili 😋 but he learned to cook and meal plan and we got to sit down to a hot meal after a busy day.

Back when my kids were teens we had regular YOYO (you’re on your own) nights, where they’d cook together or fend for themselves in our well stocked kitchen. They liked making decisions about what they ate. My youngest is now a chef.

My 13 yr old is in charge of dinner once a week and both him and his little sister (9) do the dishes. Then 1-2x a week we all cook together so they can learn the life skill. They also meal plan with me and go to the grocery store with me (most of the time). It’s 💯 valuable for them to learn how to fend for themselves, especially since you’re offering them a safe environment to do it in. 💗

You should 100% do this. It’s so helpful for them. Mine are now meal planning and adding to the grocery list. Explain to each of them that if you cook, you do not clean up. This way everyone gets a turn