2 in 1 Meal: Potato Soup
Hi Mama,
I hope you enjoy these learning and bonding cooking experiences with your toddler. Tonight, I am sharing a meal that I had the privilege of making by myself, and my toddlers loved it!
So, back story: my husband made this potato soup for me when I was pregnant with my first baby, and it was so good that I wanted more whenever I could get it. Unfortunately, my husband’s career changed to where he was always on the go, which left me without soup. Well, that was up until tonight! I started cooking dinner one way when suddenly I remembered parts of the recipe that my husband had me write down, and I shifted one meal into a whole other meal. Now, I will say that my soup in these pictures was not as soupy as what he had made for me that night due to my beginning process of making the meal something completely different, but I did include his recipe so that you can make the soup on your own. If you want it thicker like mine, where I served it as gravy, you can reduce the chicken brother and milk and add sour cream and cheese.
{I want to inform you ahead of time that I do not add exact measurements of ingredients due to family size varying and preference on specific seasons, and the amount may not be for everyone (especially a picky toddler), so please do not hesitate to substitute or add anything that is preferred for you and your family liking.} You do know them better than me.
These are ideas for forming inclusion in your everyday life with your toddler, again establishing a bonding experience and a learning skill while taking care of your daily tasks.
Remember, Mama, this is a learning experience for your toddler! They are figuring out basic life skills that can be complex from their point of view. Be mindful of the process of preparing the meal that is presented to them. Everything that your toddler is doing will be supervised by you and in need of assistance from you as well! Although your toddler cannot handle anything regarding the stove, oven, or anything that is not toddler-friendly, they can do simple things such as washing potatoes and rice, and this Mama is an opportunity for you to allow your child to assist you by handing you requested items!
IT WILL GET MESSY!
Again,
IT WILL GET MESSY!
So please refrain from attempting this with expectations of your toddler baking or cooking at your level of expertise. Once you relax and have fun trying to see through their eyes and making an experience happen, much weight will be lifted when trial and error occurs.
Be sure to have:
1. Your station set up of what you will be using.
- I promise, if you walk away to get any item you forgot to already have at your set-up station, your toddler will have a high chance of messing with anything at their level, so be aware!
2. Napkins.
3. Basic rules
- Listen to Mommy (generally speaking), state the main safety rule pertaining to the dish (cooking time is not playing time; be cautious of surroundings like hot oven/ stove and sharp knives), and obey Mommy.
4. Encouragement & Patience.
If you and your toddler love cooking family meals together, please check out some toddler-friendly meals I posted on Keeping Life Sharp (Motherhood: Fun Meals & Recipe’s –).
