Now that I have a toddler, parenting lessons are happening every day but I’ve been trying my best to not just see it as a phase but understand what his needs are.
I’m learning that my little one loves to watch and be in the kitchen with me. He loves to see what I’m stirring, chopping, and putting in the oven. I can only hope it means that he’ll take up cooking as a hobby at some point. Not a chef though, I think it’ll be hard to get him to cook for family gatherings… so just a hobby.
Since we moved into our house though, he’s had more cupboards, a new gas range and new ovens to explore. I try my best to keep him away from them but I can only do so much. I’ve resorted to putting him in his high chair and giving him snacks while I cook. That way he can still see what’s going on but from a little distance. He’s also aware that after his bath, when he hears the gas stove ignite that I’m warming his milk to have before bed and insists on me picking him up so he can watch the pot.
I thought I could teach him to stop going in the cupboards and pulling at everything but his kitchen shenanigans have taught me a few things.
- One of the reasons he does it, is to get my attention. When he comes to me and I’m busy with dirty hands, he opens every cupboard door and touches things or pulls them out until I pick him up. I finally bought cupboard locks on Monday.
- Babies can’t talk and when they exhibit a certain behavior, in your frustration, it’s better to try to understand their needs than think they’re being naughty.
- I should’ve bought those locks when we moved in. Even though it’s only been 3 days and they’re driving me insane.
- This is a natural learning behavior – to be inquisitive. While it should be encouraged, I do not need to have it happen all the time so the locks will help me keep my sanity a bit. It is a teaching moment for both of us – it’s teaching me patience and he’s learning about the kitchen and what is used in it.
There may be a million books on parenting but the one thing you don’t need a book for is patience – it’s at the heart of parenting. We all have our days when our patience is wearing thin or is practically non-existent, just make sure those days aren’t the norm.
Just a Dash 