Under Feet At Meal Prep--Advice?

[MotherNature]

I have a very strong gate across the kitchen. My dcg2 will stand on the gate every time I go in there. I tell her every time to get off it. She asks 'food time'? every time I go in there. Or she'll sit at the table. Kind of cute, but annoying. She'll also ask me over and over for milk until it appears in her hand. While I'm pouring it, etc...really annoying.

[Memc2001]

My husband cut the door in half and made a "church door" where it is half the height and still has a lock on it so I can see and hear the kids while preparing meals. I have also gotten the kids into the habit of everyone sitting at the table quietly or the food will not come out.

[lilcupcakes09]

My little ones go into their highchairs while I prepare. If the older ones cannot entertain themselves while I fix lunch, I sit them at the table with their own little white boards and they can draw or write whatever they choose. It works really well. I had the gate but they would just hang and scream on the other side which drove me more crazy!

[Heidi]

My little ones go into their highchairs while I prepare. If the older ones cannot entertain themselves while I fix lunch, I sit them at the table with their own little white boards and they can draw or write whatever they choose. It works really well. I had the gate but they would just hang and scream on the other side which drove me more crazy!

see, that's what I do, too. The only problem I have is that they often still scream. I talk to them, and sometimes pretend to be Julia Child, but giving them toys doesn't usually work. They toss them and then scream anyway. My instructor from college (while observing) suggested giving them crackers, but I am NOT going there.

[cheerfuldom]

see, that's what I do, too. The only problem I have is that they often still scream. I talk to them, and sometimes pretend to be Julia Child, but giving them toys doesn't usually work. They toss them and then scream anyway. My instructor from college (while observing) suggested giving them crackers, but I am NOT going there.

I just let them cry and don't try to entertain them at all. Ignoring does work. I just go about my business calmly, no early snacks, no toys and eventually they figure out that sitting in the chair is easily than crying when no one is listening.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Everyone (they're all 2-5) starts out in a group at circle time reading the special circle time books with each other. Once one starts getting a little crazy (there really is only one), then he gets separated from the group, brings his books, and comes and sits on one of those gel kitchen mats in the kitchen with me so I can monitor him. He sits in a location where he can't see what I am preparing (otherwise, he would purposely get in trouble so he could sit in the kitchen ) but I can easily see him.

We go to the tables when it is time to eat to say our prayer and dig in. If they sit at the tables during other parts of the day, they get a book out of the special book box right by the tables.

I do not allow children in the kitchen to wander in and out or play when I am preparing a meal. I have a door on one side and a gate on the other that I can lock if I need to.