The First Batch of Independence
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
⅔ cup (150 g) unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup (125 g) granulated sugar
⅔ cup (125 g) brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¾ tsp coarse salt
7 oz (200 g) chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and egg together until light and creamy. Then add the flour, baking soda, salt, gradually into the butter mixture. When it is all mixed stir in the chocolate. Divide the dough into 20 portions and roll them into little balls. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving plenty of space as the cookies will spread. Press them slightly flat and bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden but still soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy!
This month, something truly special happened in our home—my daughter baked cookies all on her own for the very first time. She measured the ingredients, preheated the oven, and carefully followed the steps, her hands steady with purpose. As the sweet scent of warm dough filled the kitchen, I watched her with quiet awe. This was more than just a batch of cookies; this was a milestone—a moment of transformation.
At 9 years old, children stand on a bridge between early childhood and a deeper sense of self. The 9-year change, as many Waldorf educators call it, is a time of awakening—a shift where a child begins to see themselves as separate from their parents, capable of their own thoughts, choices, and actions. And in that small, flour-dusted kitchen, I saw it unfold before my eyes.
Baking as a Rite of Passage
When we think of milestones, we often think of first steps, first words, or first days of school. But sometimes, the most profound moments are the quiet ones—the first time a child independently follows a process from start to finish, trusting in their own ability.
Baking, in its own way, is a perfect metaphor for this stage of growth. It requires:
Patience – There is no rushing the process. Ingredients must be measured, dough must be mixed, and cookies must bake at their own pace. A child at this stage is learning that real work takes time.
Precision and Focus – Too much flour, not enough sugar, or a forgotten step can change everything. Following a recipe teaches attention to detail, sequence, and responsibility.
Trust in Oneself – There is something magical about watching a child move through the kitchen, making decisions without looking up for reassurance. The shift from “Can you help me?” to “I’ve got this” is profound.
A Taste of Independence – Turning on the oven, handling hot trays, making choices about when cookies are “just right”—these are big responsibilities. And in taking them on, my daughter showed not just skill but confidence.
The 9-Year Shift: A New Sense of Self
In Waldorf philosophy, the 9-year change is seen as a child’s first step toward individuality. Up until now, life has been a warm cocoon of togetherness, where the world is safe and whole. But around this age, a new awareness emerges:
“I am separate from my parents.”
“I can do things on my own.”
“I want to try, even if I fail.”
This can be a bittersweet shift for parents, as our little ones begin to take their first real steps into independence. But it is also a moment to celebrate. It is the beginning of responsibility, self-motivation, and a growing sense of purpose.
From Floury Hands to Life Skills
Baking may seem small, but it holds something far greater—it is a first taste of self-sufficiency. My daughter didn’t just make cookies; she made something for herself, by herself.
And as she proudly held out a warm, golden cookie, beaming with accomplishment, I realized that this was more than just a milestone for her—it was one for me, too.
Because in that moment, I saw the young person she is becoming—capable, thoughtful, independent. I am seeing the teenager and adult person my daughter will soon enough become — this wonderful person full of fire, life and happiness! And just like those cookies fresh from the oven, she is still in the process of becoming. But the ingredients are all there: patience, confidence, and the courage to try.
And that is the sweetest thing of all.
Thanks so much for reading! Lots of love from Maja
