I had a friend who was completely incapable of doing pretty much anything for themselves because their parents always insisted on doing everything for them, and berated them when they tried for themselves. They’re now in their 30s and have a breakdown any time they have to do anything, and frequent depressive episodes because they lack agency and self-worth. So there definitely are parents out there who completely fail their kids.

My mother was a terrible parent in the other direction. The expectation was on me to do everything as soon as possible. I was cooking full meals on my own by six, and when we moved countryside I was the firekeeper, in charge of the entire supply line of stacking, chopping, and transporting wood, to cleaning and ensuring the fire was kept in our boiler by eight.

I don’t think parents need to teach about gluten formation, how it traps gases and makes the bread rise, or emulsions. Just foundational knowledge so that they’re able to explore that and take a keener interest should it strike them.