A little help here?
from Mama Speaks | October 4, 2007Remember that old adage that a womans place is in the kitchen? Yeah, um, no. Makes you grit your teeth right? Thankfully times have changed, but nevertheless us Mama’s still find ourselves in the kitchen, a lot- breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and “oh, you need cupcakes for tomorrow sweetie? And the store is closed?” So we cook. Some of us love it. Others do it for no other reason than the fact that well, we must eat to live.
The biggest problem most Mama’s have is what to do with the kids while you’re cooking. Unfortunately the consensus in one of my Mom’s groups is that this is the time the kiddies get parked in front of the TV. In our house that isn’t an option so we’ve struggled with how my son can help safely. When he was tiny he would hang out in the sling while I cooked, once he was sitting there was a special safe spot on the counter, once he could stand we pulled up a stool or a chair. Wonderful! We could chat and measure and stir, it was such a special time. Until that day he fell. Saw that one coming didn’t you? He’s fine, but needless to say from that day on he was sent off to play when meal-time came.
Until, the glorious day we discovered The Learning Tower by Little Partners. They boast it is “a child’s special place to learn, observe and create” and it definitely is. The sturdy wooden structure features a stable no tip base, an adjustable height platform that can easily adjust as your child grows. And it holds up to 500 pounds, so when you need to get to that cabinet above the refrigerator (why are those there?!) you can climb on up yourself. We’ll admit it is a bit of chore to put together but the construction is such that we don’t see it coming apart any time this century.
The platform is enclosed on all four sides so there is no chance for falls, meaning you can stir and scramble worry-free. Recommended for children 18 months and up and we see it being useful for years to come. In between tower time it is the perfect desk or snack tray and the optional Playhouse Kit helps you create a fort or puppet theater with a quickness.
All that and the fact my toddler now asks to help wash the dishes? Need I say more?