I don’t normally like to ask you to imagine awful things, but today I’m going to. Just for a minute. Picture the witching hour. It usually occurs around 5 or 6pm, and if it only lasts one hour consider yourself lucky.
Now consider from your child’s perspective, why that time of day is hard. Is your child tired? Hungry? Over-stimulated? Missing connection with mom and dad? Or simply wanting to participate and contribute to the efforts during this busy time?
Now imagine if I told you that I know of one way (okay, a few but I’ll stick to this one for today) to make this time soooo much easier. In fact, of all of the baby items we were given and the few that we bought, this is the one that stands above all of the others. It’s the one thing that everyone comments on when they come to our house. It’s the one thing all kids clamor to. My kids use it every single day.
It’s the Learning Tower.
I mentioned this nifty apparatus in the baby-proofing series (or child-friendly, as I prefer to call baby-proofing).
You’ll get the most use out of the Learning Tower in the kitchen. Since this natural gathering place is where you likely spend a lot of time, your kids always want to be there too.
When you create an easy way for your child to be safe and engaged in the kitchen, the witching hour quickly smoothes itself out.
The Learning Tower safely elevates your child to the height of the kitchen counter. Whether your child is helping you cook or chomping on some grapes while you are cooking, he will feel like part of the activity. And suddenly his struggles for attention will quiet.
Additionally, your child can wash dishes, assemble lunch, or get his own water. My kids gather there first thing in the morning as I prepare their breakfast. It’s a nice way to visit and be close, while also getting their input on breakfast choices and having them add their own berries, milk, or whatever. Plus, they love to help with the dishes and most recently both the 2 and 5 year old are eager to make and pack their lunches.
I’m more than happy to accept this help. They love participating, plus it gives them some sense of power, so that they are not fighting for it later.
