mealtimes... how do you cope when one child insists on screamig at you when your trying to cook day after day after day because it's driving me insane!

[saralou]

ever since he was born ds2 (6.5months) has screamed at me whilst trying to cook dinner for ds1... as soon as i pick him up he's fine, but as soon as i go to put him back down he kicks off again.

i have all these f***g toy things for him to sit in, door bouncers etc.. quite happy to sit in them during the day, but not when i'm cooking tea

it's just taken me an hour to cook a meal that should take 30 mins max

and it's burnt

help... tell me what i'm doing wrong and how to fix it!!!

I used to prepare the proper meal of the day in the morning while baby sleeping and older child otherwise occupied (usually watching a DVD but occasionally keeping himself busy)
The other meal would be something they could be eating as it was prepared.

good suggestions all!
i suffer this problem: for some reason, my 9 mth lo will play in the living room or in the bedrooms while i sit and read (occasionally, for about 10 mins) , but screams blue bloody murder at being on the floor in the kitchen. grrrr. am hoping it is a phase, but its quite frustrating i have to use his nap time to do any kitchen activities!
he's learning to walk right now, and wont ever sit still for a minute!