Is this normal and cute or naughty?

Question

My 2.5 year old and I cook every day (at least during the week). We bake muffins or similar for the older 4's lunch the next day and she almost always helps me with dinner - even if it is just putting the cut up vegetables into the pot for me.

So my 12 year old is home sick, and I left the 2 of them watching TV while I swapped over my washing and I came back into the main rooms to find her in the kitchen (it is all open plan area) cracking eggs into a fry pan and then sprinkling the eggs with curry powder!

Now I personally think this is very cute, but my sister called and I told her that I was a bit busy cleaning up the mess (my daughter was helping me clean up)... and she said that my daughter was really naughty for doing that and I should put her in time out.

So who thinks this is normal exploring and experimenting for a 2 year old and who thinks it is naughty.

Oh, and while cleaning up the mess my daughter and I did have a little talk where I told her that cooking was for with mummy or daddy only and that she has to ask next time.

Answer 1

I think it's way cute!! that's awesome that you include her so much. She is just doing what you taught her!

That's great you had her help you clean up as well- teaches her the other part of cooking. Sounds like she will grow up to be very self-sufficient.

I would have probably been mad at first if my child did this, cause it would be messy, but in the end, they are just curious..

Answer 2

If I was going to be upset, it would be at the older child who was watching TV with the younger one and didn't notice what she was doing but that's only if you had told her to keep an eye and even then I wouldn't be that upset.

I think it's cute and I wouldn't punish that at all. Just a little talk about cooking is only for when mommy is helping because she could get hurt and you don't want that to happen. I would leave it at that.

Answer 3

i think its normal she was just trying to be like you.i dont think you need to put a child in time out for something like that unless she does it over and over again.

Answer 4

Thats is very cute but definantly not naughty behaviour! You have tought her how to cook and she was probably trying to suprise you! It is quite dangerous however you should let her know that cooking is only allowed when mummy is around. If that is her pic she is beautiful how cute to see her cooking! I think that is just normal 2 year old behaviour. I find my son pulling out the vacuum and pretending to vacuum. Normal toddlers love mimicking adult behaviour and that is exactly what she is doing. Definantly not naughty very cute.. And to the goose that said they would punish her I think you are so wrong. How can you teach your daughter something and then discipline her when she doesnt know what she was doing wrong! You should tell her cooking time is only when mummy is around and let her know it is dangerous to cook by herself. You have already told her cooking is mummy and daddy time so if you cought her doing it alone again then I would give her time out but you have done exactly what (in my opinion) is the right thing to do

Answer 5

your doing the right thing, my brother helped my mum when he was little and now he is the best cook

just remember to be there when she is

good luck  

Answer 6

It is not naughty. The child is use to cooking with you and was probably thinking she would be helping. You explained to her that she must cook with you, it is not like you did nothing. You did exactly what I would do. Except I would probably have told my sister to butt out

Answer 7

You sound like a fantastic Mum and your daughter is amazing!

She obviously very much enjoys cooking with you and imitating what you do. I think you're a great role-model and are teaching her many valuable life-skills.

She may or may not be a chef one day but I'm sure the quality time you're speding with her is very good for her emotional wellbeing (and yours for that matter).

I hope to be as fun a Mum as you.

By the way, I think you sister should mind her own business when it comes to how and for what reasons you should discipline your children. Afterall, they're your children not hers.

Answer 8

thats cute she was only trying to help and she knows she cant do it again years ago i had a foster son and he used to get up in the morning and go through the cupboards and and put food all over the floor now thats naughty

Answer 9

I think it's cute!  She's trying to be just like you.  If she were being naughty she would've thrown the eggs at the wall or something LOL.

Answer 10

it's pretty normal. she wanted to cook like mommy. i would discipline her for it

Answer 11

Well I agree with your warning her about cooking but i SWEAR every women I know HATES their sister. My grandma. My mum. My mum's 3 friends. Myself. You.

It must be a new trend.

Well maybe I should just say dislikes >.>

No but its normal for a child.

Answer 12

there is nothing wrong with that! she is a curious 2 year old trying to emulate mommy. the only problem is if she would have turned on the stove and burned herself. but i think you did exactly the right thing, have her help clean up and explain to her that cooking can be harmful. i think your sister is to strict and needs to lighten up. besides a two year is not going to understand why she is being put in time out for doing something mommy does everyday and she helps. thats not fair to her, she is just going to think you are being mean and sending mixed signals