My kids never napped, oh they'd fall asleep when we were doing errands, in the car, but nap-nope never. We called it the curse of our street (everyone with kids on our street had the same problem..). So, I went with the flow...I love to cook, used to own a catering company (that I sold after a year of marriage-I was busy 100 -120 hours a week-and had a daybed in the back)....Needless to say, didn't fit with marriage. So I love to cook, still.
I would frequently make waffles, or muffins, and pancakes, (I'd always add fruit and very little sugar-the fruit would sweeten it)....The smell would often make waking them up much easier...While I was preparing dinner, while they were eating breakfast, or right after, we'd be yaking or I'd send them to the pantry to be "my helpers". From the time they were 2 they would "make" one meal a week each (with mom's help...) but they learned how to separate eggs, how to make pasta - from scratch, loved making lasagna, and italian soups (which I frequently made w/leftover chicken, pork, and veggies...ezy)....While chopping veggies, they weren't allowed near "the island" (I chop-having been a chef- very quickly-didn't need little fingers in there)....I always made dinner prior to lunch, if it was a favorite of theirs I'd make extra and they could have it for lunch, with some muffins, or bread that they would "make". Incorporating them in the kitchen activites shows them from an early age proper nutrition, and also dangers. To show how "hot" the top of the stove got I set a paper towel on fire, after the burner was shut off. I explained that could have been their finger! Plus, even though I cooked, and baked and still do - I still make dinner early, just a habit. When my husband gets home, I enjoy the time. Alot of times, I would let them make "appetizers", "mini cheese balls", etc. They loved it and have all turned out to be excellent cooks. If there is a time you dont want them in the kitchen, get a huge rubbermaid container that fits in the bottom of your pantry and fill with different kinds of beans, small pots, and measuring spoons and cups.....They love this and don't even know they are learning fractions.....Also, they loved working with puff pastry or fillo dough, one would be certain to cover it carefully to keep it moist, the other would butter, one would fill, and frequently had fruit turnovers, or whatever we were having for dinner in "pockets" of fillo dough-suddenly they love whatever you are making....Learned to love fish, shrimp & scallops this way. Also Salmon is delightful with a sour cream and dill sauce spread thinly on top b/4 wrapping....I loved having the kids in the kitchen.....They were great at peeling veggies, cleaning out peppers, peeling potatoes, etc. They loved "smashed" potatoes for lunch, which are baked potatoes cooked, then you smash them with a spatula in a fry pan w/very little oil till brown, and "top" with anything they want, cheese, leftover veggies, meat, or even a can of chili and cheese, leftover eggs (from breakfast & sausage/bacon, quick nutricious lunch....the more they help-the more they eat and are less picky eaters. Just a thought - this is how I handled it, then we would have "fun" cleaning dishes and the kitchen, then outside to play, I miss those days....(pot pies are great for young children to "make" and low and behold how they'll eat their creations"....(Own numerous crock pots but have never cooked in one-usually use them for parties sometimes....but, generally prefer my chafing dishes).