How to Cook With a Toddler?

Preparing a meal with a toddler is no easy task. Especially when we're in a rush.

We have all had our kitchen disasters and fails: burnt fingers, spilt milk, salt in the morning coffee or coffee in your porridge. For clarity, the last two are NOT my taste.

And cooking with a child running between your legs adds a new dimension to the struggle.

My daughter wants to be the center of attention no matter what I do. ALWAYS. That leaves me with little time to prepare the ingredients or to read the recipe fully. Often times I end up missing something crucial half way through cooking.  

After a long, busy day you lack the patience to explain things calmly to your precious little one. Instead, you get angry and frustrated. Your child gets upset and you feel guilty. Very guilty.  Sounds familiar?

So how to cook with a toddler and stay sane?

Everyone knows that a child who is engaged is less likely to misbehave. But how to engage a child who does not want to stay engaged? 

5 tips on how cook with a toddler:

 1. Get messy!

Children love getting dirty and play with messy things. Give them a section of the kitchen where mess is welcome and where they can explore different textures. A tiny bit of dry rice, a carrot or a mushroom is not going to hurt.  And make sure not to pay too much attention to the flour on the floor.

2. Praise - We all love being praised. Shower your child with compliments for great mixing or holding the bowl or whatever else they insisted on doing. This will encourage them to listen to your instructions.

3. Utilize Utensils - Give your child their own set of utensils, and pretend they have potatoes (or anything else they enjoy eating) on a plate, in a colander or on anything else you are not using. Ask them to mix them and spice them (using an empty container). At this point make sure you cover whatever you are cooking as your child may want to spice up your dish too :) Yes. This has happened to me.

4. Let them have a go - Children learn best by doing things. It is important to let them have a turn and participate in the cooking process. Even if their part is as small as sprinkling spices from your palm onto the food or pouring premeasured ingredients into a bowl. When they know they will have THEIR turn, they are more keen to wait and you can get more done.

5. Healthy Snack - sometimes I find it difficult to contain my daughter's enthusiasm for cooking. When her little hands start reaching for the pots on the stove, it is time to move away from cooking. Giving your child a carrot, a few grapes or another healthy snack won't stop them from eating dinner but may give you just enough time to finish cooking.

And if everything else fails?

Then 'Planet Earth' or 'The Magic School Bus' do the trick. Nobody is perfect.

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Thank you for stepping by and hope to see you again soon :)

Footnote: I am not advertising the shows. I am using them as an example of the shows my daughter likes.