Cooking and baking

[Anonymous]

I’m not an au pair but I bake with my 4 and 2 year old. My 2 year old is learning to crack eggs. It’s not a complete mess but yes there might be more ingredients spillage onto the counter but it’s easily cleaned up. You can always get a book like “Pretend Soup” which has easy to follow step by step drawings. My 4 year old tells us what to do for each step so it’s nice to do together.

[Anonymous]

APs are like your average teenage girl...they bake cakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APs are like your average teenage girl...they bake cakes.

Depends on the teenagers. My siblings and I made meals, not cakes, and we didn't know anyone else who baked cakes at home unless it was for a birthday.

[Anonymous]

Op. To clarify, we have 2 toddlers and a baby on the way. Do I want the AP to make meals for the toddlers? Sure. But I honestly don't expect much more than grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs, or microwavable stuff. I actually would rather not have them do more because it means AP is cooking and not paying as much attention to the kids. We don't have an open concept floor plan or a huge kitchen. One adult and two kids makes the kitchen crowded. Being in the kitchen means you can hear, but can't see what the kids are up to.

As a PP mentioned, I'd prefer to avoid the APs that think cooking and baking is a hobby. If AP is doing something in the kitchen, it means I can't make lunch or dinner. Somehow I think that an AP that 1) realizes they're in the way and chooses off-hours when the kitchen is free and 2) completely cleans up after themselves is rare. Also, mentioned: diet. DH tries to avoid wheat. I try to avoid sugar that isn't something healthy like a piece of fruit. I'd prefer the kids not to eat all the baked goods the AP makes because they're sugary and available. Then, we get to waste...

[Anonymous]

Op do you have a 4yo and a 2yo or 2 toddlers? A 2yo is a toddler, a 4yo is not.

Making something in the kitchen with your kids help once a week or so will be fun for your kids and a good activity to break up the day sometimes.

[Anonymous]

I think you should explain to AP and put in your handbook what you just posted. The constraints of your kitchen, your family doesn’t eat baked goods, and give a list of alternative activities for AP to engage kids. Then explain that she is welcome to bake when kitchen is free but to plan on either eating the items herself (you pay for ingredients) or baking for her friends (she pays for ingredients). I do not think it even needs to be addressed in screening or interview. If AP gushes about baking as her passion in life and major goal while living in the USA (to bake for your family) then don’t choose this AP. I understand where you are coming from...my husband eats gluten free and I eat low carb/sugar. My experience with APs is that their baked goods are pretty bland so my kids don’t like them. They prefer ice cream as a treat anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op. To clarify, we have 2 toddlers and a baby on the way. Do I want the AP to make meals for the toddlers? Sure. But I honestly don't expect much more than grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs, or microwavable stuff. I actually would rather not have them do more because it means AP is cooking and not paying as much attention to the kids. We don't have an open concept floor plan or a huge kitchen. One adult and two kids makes the kitchen crowded. Being in the kitchen means you can hear, but can't see what the kids are up to.

As a PP mentioned, I'd prefer to avoid the APs that think cooking and baking is a hobby. If AP is doing something in the kitchen, it means I can't make lunch or dinner. Somehow I think that an AP that 1) realizes they're in the way and chooses off-hours when the kitchen is free and 2) completely cleans up after themselves is rare. Also, mentioned: diet. DH tries to avoid wheat. I try to avoid sugar that isn't something healthy like a piece of fruit. I'd prefer the kids not to eat all the baked goods the AP makes because they're sugary and available. Then, we get to waste...

You have a toddler, preschooler and a baby on the way. Engaging the kids in cooking breakfast and lunch is a great way to tie educational concepts (colors, numbers, shapes, even letters if the AP talks about the starting sounds for each item) into practical, everyday routine, as well as work on fine and gross motor skills. It's incredibly easy to start with the toddler getting things out, preschooler starts cutting soft foods while toddler gets each item and AP prepares lunch. Teaching them to work around each other and be aware of space is also easier when it's necessary than when it has to be done artificially.

Frankly, I would hate to be in your AP's shoes if she's only supposed to do scrambled eggs, grilled cheese and microwave food for the kids. What is AP supposed to eat? Not that, I guarantee it. Don't you think it would be better for AP to engage the kids in making a small meal together, all three sit down and eat, then they clean up together?

[Anonymous]

Oh, and there are plenty of ways to tweak recipes. I've made gluten-free, dairy-free, no sugar added (except from unsweetened dried fruit I blended into the eggs), high protein, high fiber, low carb brownies. Kids couldn't tell the difference, and it was healthier than a lot of things most kids eat as their entree, let alone comparing it to other kids' desserts. I made a huge batch, but it could easily be cut down to 4 normal size muffins, or AP could do something similar and freeze most of the batch for later.

Teaching kids to have healthy sweets in moderation is more successful in building healthy habits than depriving kids totally. Otherwise, when they are out of sight at school, they will binge and create unhealthy habits.

[Anonymous]

I doubt she will be making 4 course meals with them but some cupcakes from a box to decorate or even grilled cheese is better than nothing.
Ours liked to do fruit kabobs (not cooking i know); decorate slice and bake cookies, toast pumpkin seeds, made homemade pasta, meatballs etc.

I worried more about food safety (not touching raw chicken without washing hands) than anything.