17 mth old won't leave me alone whilst cooking

[kwebster]

Every time I go near the kitchen to cook, my 17 month old is entwined in my legs, wants up, wants biscuits, wants a cuddle, and it's making it very difficult to cook safely! He has always been into his food, but this is even happening when I know the childminder has just given him a snack right before I collect him. I've tried distracting him by putting on the tv, but it only works for a few minutes. I've also been giving him some dried fruit to keep him occupied but it doesn't last for long and he is back through, crying :(

I'm not sure if he is really hungry or just wants attention whenever I'm in the kitchen. This also happens if my husband or my Mum is cooking, it's not just to me!

I'm not sure whether to a) stop giving him snacks and make him wait for his tea, b) just keep giving him snacks c) put up a stairgate to stop him getting in the kitchen at all?

Any advice/ideas much appreciated.

Do you have a sling you could put him on your back with while cooking? He might just want to be near you. My ds gets grumpy and clingy by evening.

Can you pop him on the floor or at the table with a big plastic bowl and something to keep him busy? A cup of cheerios to pour or mix up with a bid spoon. He will be 'helping' mummy.

Put up a stairgate and have a box of toys/treasure basket that only come out when you need to cook so it remains interesting and is a treat to look forward to. Pack it away when its dinner and then its brought out again next time. Close any doors to rooms so he doesn't wander too far and hopefully the toys will be a distraction each time.
Or another idea is to put up the stairgate and have a cd player handy to put childrens music on, you can then sing in the kitchen and encourage your child to sing and dance but on the other side of the stairgate.

Could OU put him in a high chair with some little snacks and toys, treasure basket etc. he could be near you but safe.

Normal. He wants to see and be involved in what you're doing, plus he is probably hungry as well and/or concerned that he's not getting your constant attention, as you're busy. Can you get him to sit at table with books/toys/crayons etc whilst you cook? Can you do some of the preparation (chop vegetables etc) at the table in front of him, so he can then see what you're doing? I know it's a bit of a faff for the parent having to put everything on the table probably far away form the bin etc, but it does seem to work for us at least. If your dining table isn?t in the kitchen you could improvise something I'm sure - or just pull his high chair near the worktop so at least he can see a little of what you're doing. He could even "help" by brushing oil onto veg in the tin for roasting etc which isn?t really all that helpful of course (he'll probably drink the olive oil from the pot/cup or chew on the veg - ours does!) but I think it will make him feel happier to be involved in what you're doing.