Chaos in the kitchen or cooking with a small child

Website design By BotEap.comA while ago I wrote an article about the benefits and joys of cooking with a young child (any child between the ages of 2-5). There are many good and fun reasons to cook with a young child. In hindsight, however, and rereading that article, I think I would be put off if I didn’t discuss the accompanying chaos. I will correct that omission here.

Website design By BotEap.comAnyone trying to cook with a young child should know what they’re getting into before they start so they have no one to blame if they lose their minds in the process.

Website design By BotEap.comIn the article, I suggested that when you start cooking with a young child, you take the little one to the store while you shop for the ingredients you’ll need for the recipe you’re making. I would advise, if the child is small enough, to seat them in the cart that the store provides for that purpose. This simple step will get you out of the store in 30 minutes; If you don’t, you’ll have to frantically run up and down the aisles looking for the kid for a good hour and a half (excluding actual shopping time – this is especially true if you shop at one of those SUPER, super food markets or in a market that has exits leading to a shopping center).

Website design By BotEap.comI also suggest, if the child is three years of age or older, that they take enough money to buy their way out of the venue. Remember, modern supermarkets also pose as toy stores. They hire marketing experts who know exactly what the child wants and where to put it so they see it, want it, and demand it. Now, you are free to say “no” to the child, but in my experience, you will break down and buy at least one toy. Most adults have no defense against a cajoling child or one who threatens to make a scene that is guaranteed to make you look like a Grinch. By the way, it’s also a good idea to have extra money to pay for the ravages of the child who is too big to sit in the stroller while you concentrate on the task at hand: gathering your things and getting out as quickly as possible.

Website design By BotEap.comOnce back at home, and before starting to cook, it would be advisable, if you are one of those who drink, to have a glass of wine (or whatever you use to calm your nerves) before undertaking this dangerous (but pleasant) ) exercise. Gathering your supplies, with the help of a young child, requires nerves of steel. His little hands are everywhere and all at the same time. While you look for the pans, he looks for the pots; while you are looking for the right utensils, he is emptying your drawer of knives and forks; while you’re looking for the flour, he’s dropped the box of salt and finally, when you’re looking for the Tums, he’s reaching for the bag of candy he saw on the third shelf of the cabinet and is busy climbing chairs and ladders to get to it. You get the picture.

Website design By BotEap.comFinally, with your supplies and ingredients at hand and your nerves and stomach calm (for a while), you start measuring ingredients while explaining to the child exactly what you’re doing and why and assuring him that he’ll get a chance. add the ingredients to the bowl and make the necessary mixes and stirs. This is good for the child and an opportunity to “bond” with him. You can instruct him in the science of measurement (keeping it age-appropriate), you can tell him about the recipe and the history of it (if the recipe has been in the family), and you can tell him to stop putting the salt in the sugar bowl and stop getting up and down from the chair you are sitting on and, while doing so, stay away from the table.

Website design By BotEap.comI often choose to bake a cake with the little kids I have available as I am sure they will like it. Of course, in the chaos of the situation, you’ve probably forgotten to preheat the oven; but don’t worry about the details, just pop the pans in the oven and hope for the best. In this situation, time is on your side because the kid doesn’t know what to expect and simply cooking the cake so he can lick the batter out of the bowl will keep him deliriously happy and give him another glass of wine. before preparing to make the icing.

Website design By BotEap.comNow, any child worth their salt knows that the real fun is mixing the frosting, spreading it on the cake and on itself at the same time. And so he starts again: he gathers the ingredients, he gathers the utensils, and if you forgot what’s next at this point, he goes back and reviews the fifth paragraph.

Website design By BotEap.comThe result of preparing the frosting is that there will be some frosting on the lopsided cake (remember you put it in a cold oven and the kid has been bouncing around the kitchen like a ball for the 45 minutes it’s been in the oven); there will be icing all over the kitchen (ceiling, walls, and floors, but what the heck, you’ve been “bonding” with the kid and it’s been fun); and most of the icing in ON the child, which means that you will have to bathe him completely and therefore the icing will also be in your entire bath. Oh, did I mention you’re covered in ice too, so plan your own bath/shower too?

Website design By BotEap.comI insist that the child help with the cleanup, and of course this is a real battle because now that the fun is over, he has absolutely no interest in helping you clean up. But he insists anyway. It’s part of the lesson and joy of cooking and it’s also a lesson for him to carry into his life: We HAVE to clean our own doughs!

Website design By BotEap.comAt this point, another glass of wine helps because there will be chaos and noise and you can count on at least one broken plate as he helps clear the table and dry the dishes with you. Wait, the end is near.

Website design By BotEap.comYou’re done, the cake is ready and iced, you and the little one are clean, and so is the kitchen (or at least it’s in order). You can finish the cleaning later when she’s sleeping fool’s sleep and looking like an angel.

Website design By BotEap.comBut before that, the family gets a chance to praise his effort and he gets a chance to savor his success, and at this point, you’ll know it’s all been worth it. Soon you will be able to take an aspirin for a headache, for another glass of wine and enjoy the tranquility (see previous paragraph).