Score brownie points early on Mother’s Day by bringing her breakfast in bed. It’s easy to get the kids involved too, writes Diana Pilkington

It may be the one time of year when mothers get to be waited on by their offspring, so why not start Mothering Sunday as you mean to go on with a lovingly prepared brunch or breakfast in bed?

With Dad taking charge in the kitchen, there are plenty of easy chores the little ones can tackle while mum gets a well-deserved lie-in. And learning how to cook could have a positive impact on fussy young eaters as well.

Children’s cookery expert Annabel Karmel says: “Tasks such as cracking eggs and stirring are well within the capabilities of a young child and it is amazing how being involved in the planning and preparation of a meal can stimulate a child’s appetite.”

When it comes to cooking with your kids, Annabel recommends picking recipes that lead to quick results as children have short attention spans.

“To start with, choose recipes that are simple enough for your child to make without too much help from you, then you can build up a repertoire of recipes they feel confident doing by themselves,” she says.

KARMEL’S SAFETY TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS

? Always make sure children wash their hands before doing any cooking.

? Never use wet hands to turn on a switch or pull out a plug.

? If they need to stand on a chair to reach the work surface, make sure it’s very stable.

? Explain about heat and the dangers of steam, hot pans and hobs.

Now try this yummy brunch recipe to make mum smile...