Looking for Ways to Distract Toddler While Cooking Dinner

Hi H.

I found that which worked for me and still does is that I did as much prep work prior to dinner and other means.. this meant cutting up all ingredients and putting them in the fridge and storing them beforehand..by doing this, it made cooking time much less.. OR I would cook what I could while my son was asleep or while in his highchair.. I basically tried to just get the meals cooked BEFORE it was time to eat. this way, come time to eat, I had minimal to do.. and really, a child that young can't eat a piping hot meal, it needs time to cool off. so it seemed to wkout..

best of luck to you

What about giving your daughter some playdough to work with while your mom cooks? I make my own playdough using the common salt recipe and my girls love it. It is much softer and easier to play with. She could be set up in the kitchen with utensils, measuring spoons, etc. That way she could work alongside your mom within arms reach and "cook" too.

H.,

Put her in the highchair with a coloring book and crayons. It works great for my son as a distraction when I am cooking dinner. Also, finger paints in the high chair too- they love it and it is so much fun for them!

Molly

my daughter is 2 and loves to 'help' cook. anything from stirring things to helping me by going and throwing things in the trash. cooking with your kids is a great activity, sure it takes a little longer, but with a toddler EVERYTHING takes longer :P

I know this sounds retro, but my kids when little always like playing with "real" objects more than toys. When I was cooking, I would let my kids have a wooden or plastic spoon and a plastic bowl or even a soup pot. I would sing the old song, "stirring the brew" - an old halloween song. My child would sing and stir and I would hurry up and get done before the moment was lost and my child was wanting to do something else. I would always sing and talk to my kids to keep them distracted, and give them something different - real - to use while I was busy. Good luck!

What I do is NEVER allow any kids in the kitchen to play. It is too dangerous - lots of hot and sharp stuff and I don't want to trip over them while I am moving about getting things ready. I say "Out of the kitchen" and move them out of the kitchen and give them a toy. Next time they come in I say "No! Out of the kitchen!" firmly and I move them out (no toy this time). If they come in again I say "NO! Out of the kitchen!" even more firmly and stick them in a Pack n' Play. Even if they are upset I feel it is better and safer for them. Plus, they will get to know the rule quicker and will soon start obeying as soon as you say "Out of the kitchen."

I start doing this as soon as they are mobile. They get upset at first because they want to be with you but they eventually get it and then it is no big deal. Just be consistent and make the kitchen an eating place not a playing place. This has worked for me with every kid I have ever watched, including my own.

Best Wishes!

E.

If she's under 35 lbs. she can be hip-held with a sling, like a hotsling (hotsling.com). If this isn't an option, though, my boys' tv time is during dinner prep time and at that age the movies were Baby Einsteins. I guess I felt better about sitting them in front of the TV for that 30 minutes since it's educational and mostly the only TV they got all day! Ideally I would have held them during the prep or let them help me (sometimes they did), but they were mostly so cranky, it was just very good "down" time for them to veg out. Good luck!

I have a difficult time in the early evening with my children also. I have a two year old and an almost 5 year old. It's hard because they usually have so much energy around that time. I love our "Word Whammer" by Leapfrog. someone else also mentioned it. It is a Fridge phonetics set that is all magnetic with peices large enough that your kids can not choke on them. Another thing my children like is their mini kitchen set. I gate them into the room right next to me so they can't access the kitchen but we are still close and I can see them. They prepare yummy food in there pretend kitchen when I am doing the same. That may be more difficult in your situation because your daughter does not have a playmate. Also sometimes when my oldest feels like watching a dvd I put my youngest in her High chair and give her fingerpaints and let her go crazy...hope you figure it out.

I bought about 25 refrigerator magnets (different animals). My daughter busied herself moving them from the refrigerator door to the dishwasher door, and back again. For days and days! Good luck!