Lately, this has been one of Ava's favorite spots on the house. She pulls (or asks me to) out the oven's bottom drawer where I keep my 9x13 metal pans, cupcake tins, bread pans and corresponding lids. This is only after she's raided my utensils drawer and picked out her choice of wooden spoons, salad forks, egg separaters and tea balls. {sigh} And that is only after she's chosen a box of cereal out of another cabinet, spilled a lot of it onto the floor...started eating it until I was quick enough to scoop it up...you get the picture.All this to say - we are at a point where I feel like I can't get anything done (at least in the kitchen). Progress that I make on the house lasts about 10 minutes until Hurricane Ava whips through! She loves to sit directly in front of the sink or stove - obviously two of the most used places during the dinner prep hour, which is when the stress kicks in. Daddy's dinners have been late the last few nights because if Ava isn't allowed to sit here...she screams. I'm not one for caving in...but, then trying to distract a 13 month old while making dinner has not been going well. Any suggestions? She loves to pretend she's helping (which is GREAT!) and cooking with me - so I've given her small ingredients and let her pretend. That lasts about 4 minutes until she see's me using something else that she wants.
I know this is only a stage. And, I'm not complaining. I love watching her learn and grow and discover new things. I love that she enjoys being in the kitchen just like her momma and I most love the fact that she just wants to be with me...
I know this is only a stage. And, I'm not complaining. I love watching her learn and grow and discover new things. I love that she enjoys being in the kitchen just like her momma and I most love the fact that she just wants to be with me... It's just...
I can't get anything done!
It's a good thing she's cute. :)
5 comments:
Oh, Amanda - been there! {grin} Could you pull the highchair into the kitchen and set her in that with a pot and spoon? Or give her a colander upside down and let her try to put raw spaghetti noodles in the holes. This entertained Cadi for a long while. Hmmmm... Scotty is the same way. This morning while I was cleaning up from breakfast he dumped a box of rice from my pantry. Some days I wish I could just sling him, but I never really got into the baby wearing thing - should have.
I set up Jacob in his highchair and let him watch a baby einstien video on You Tube on the laptop. It allows me to make dinner in peace!
Hannah went through that stage too. Now, she is actually really good at entertaining herself while I make dinner. Maybe wait until Brad gets home to start dinner prep. We did that for a while, Seth would have playtime with Hannah while I got dinner ready. I also have a friend thta allows a video during dinner prep time. I do like the idea of sitting her in her highchair with spoons, etc. too :)
Ha! Replace your pictures of Ava with Lily and this could be something I posted! We have these fun fridge magnets that she likes to play with but like you said, that only lasts about 10 minutes and then she's off and into something else! Something I've been TRYING to do (doesn't always happen) is to do as much prep as I can before during her nap. Obviously this works better with some meals than with others and sometimes you've got other things to do during naptime as well! At any rate, you're not alone! :)
I have been there...still am there many days! I want to encourage you--God made you the authority in Ava's life! I know that's a daunting and tiring task many days and often battles have to be chosen. I did try to distract my kids with fun activities in other areas of the house but I also instilled consequences very early on for the fit-throwing while mom is trying to accomplish a task. It's not fun, but kids do understand--don't let them fool you! Here's a great article by John Piper that gave me a greater resolve to be a mom that is consistent, loving, and firm--all show forth the Gospel to my children. It's definitely a work in process as I let God mold me, change me, and direct my parenting! Praying it will get easier!
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2009/4431_Why_Require_Unregenerate_Children_to_Act_Like_Theyre_Good/
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