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JennGM
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I'm finding it a little difficult to curb my son's impulses to do everything that Mommy and Daddy does when it's something dangerous. I try to get him involved when I can, but when I'm cooking on the stove, I'd like it to be off-limits. We have a gas range, with knobs on the front  . He loves to play with the knobs, of course. When I'm cooking, if he strays in the kitchen while something is on the stove, he'll turn it higher or off, with the gas running. I'm usually right behind him to catch him in the act, but it does make me nervous. He's just imitating/helping me...nothing malicious.
I don't have gates to keep him out while cooking (although the government's child safety site said it was the solution). He likes to be near me and watch (I do wish I could buy that Learning-Tower!). Such commentary I get -- he sees everything I'm doing, and it's such a joy to see a child be excited about the upcoming spaghetti or brocolli  . But sometimes when things need to simmer or bake, I don't stay in the kitchen the whole time. Our main floor has the kitchen which goes into the dining room/living room, almost all open. So that's when the stove or oven knob is unguarded.
I guess it sounds like I don't know how to parent with all my posts.  I'm dealing with the issue okay, but I love hearing how experienced parents deal with this, especially if you are doing more of hands-on approach with your kids. Some of the safety things in the catalogs annoy me because it seems the child (or the house) will never be allowed to get messy or enjoy real life.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: June 02 2005 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
Do the knobs come off? Often gas stove knobs pull off if you pull straight out. Turn the stove on, pull the knob off and then put it on only when you need it.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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I was trying that this week...taking the knobs off, but that seems to draw more attention when they are on when I'm cooking...more dangerous in my mind. So dh was suggesting I put them back on and he'll forget about it soon.
Are you saying I could take them off after I set the gas on? I'll try that...that would be the answer then.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM
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Eureka!!!  What a simple solution! Thanks! that will work quite nicely!!! It's not easy to put back on, but I can live with it! I couldn't tap into my mother's help because we always had electric!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Elizabeth
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Everything should be so simple  Glad it worked. SOme gas knobs don't come off at all...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 02 2005 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
| Some gas knobs don't come off at all... |
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I guess the cheapo ranges they do...
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Mare
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Hi Jenn,
Sounds like you're having fun with son. It is such a wonderful time to look back on.
I've got lots of little helpers in the kitchen.  Our kitchen is too small to eat in but big enough for a child size table. That's where most of the food prep is done when the girls are involved. I just sit on one of their little chairs with them. I've found that keeping the girls occupied at the table while I'm at the stove is helpful - folding napkins, tearing up the lettuce, breaking spaghetti, pouring water into a pot, etc.
When the girls were just two, the started using cheese spreaders for "knives." (I've found these at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.) They are able to make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spread butter on their toast, etc. They are able to cut their sandwiches in half with it.
These three kitchen items are sometimes difficult for them to use, so I end up helping a great deal. For chopping up food, my girls use the Zyliss food chopper. They also use the Zyliss grater for grating cheese and carrots. We have an egg beater for baking cakes and cookies.
Now, of course, the kitchen looks like a disaster after cooking with the girls.  Sometimes it takes forever to get a meal together. But you know, seeing the pride that they have in their work is so worth it.  
Happy Cooking,
Mare
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amiefriedl
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Jenn,
How about a kitchen playset of his own in the kitchen somewhere or close by? We don't always think of those for boys so I thought it worth mentioning. You could let him use real pots and pans on it maybe. And since it is garage saleing time, you might be able to pick up a nice one for cheap! I did! For $45 I found a gorgeous mini-kitchen like new with tons of high quality playfood that my kids adore. I've found that the nicer quality the playfood is, the longer my kids stick with it.
Hang in there! I have a gas stove too! I always worry about it.
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In Christ the King through Mary our Mother,
Amie
Blessed with an awesome hubby and Mom of ds10, dd7, dd3 and dd 10months.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Safety in the Kitchen for Toddlers
