Maybe "impossible" is too strong...but it's definitely becoming more and more difficult! So, dear blog-y friends, I need some tips on how to deal with a toddler while fixing the evening meal :)
Let me just start by saying that my child is great at playing by herself. She likes listen to music & dance while I'm doing chores here and there in the morning. She can sit and "read" herself books if I'm folding laundry. She loves to push her baby around in her stroller if I'm trying to dust in the living room. But as soon as I start dinner...all bets are off!
We have a cabinet that houses all of our tupperware that she can play with. She has free reign over all of the pots, pans & spoons. We have a farm animal toy on the fridge that makes cute noises and sings songs. And she even got her very own cooking set for Christmas! But do you know where she wants to be when I start for the recipe cards? Just guess :) Under my legs, like a cute little monkey. She doesn't necessarily want to be held, though she'll start whining if I don't acknowledge her presence. It makes it very difficult to move from the stove to the sink, and don't even get me started on what it takes to get her untangled for long enough for me to open the oven! It's crazy! And I'm not a gourmet cook or anything, the meals I make usually only take 15-20 from fridge to stove/oven. Maybe that's too much to ask of a 16 month old?! Poor Chris, we're going to have to start eating cereal every night :)
Any of you mommies out there have the same issue? I'd love to hear your tips & tricks to alleviate some of the mealtime stress. You guys always have the best ideas :)
