How how how do you do it???!!!

[PinkPeonies22]

How do you cook a meal, or do anything really, with an 11 month old without someone else to look after them while you do it? He used to be happy enough in the jumperoo or sling, but not any more, he wants to climb up my legs, open the dishwasher, crawl underneath the stove. If i put him in playpen he screams, if i put him in the sling he just twists and grabs and tries desperately to get out. Any advice or tips warmly appreciated. Thank you xx

It was a long time ago now but I think we are a lot of picnic food!

Ate!

Stair gate on the kitchen- cbeebies on- ignore the screaming if needed

I used to give DD her own version of what I was doing and sit her somewhere safe to do it. So if I was cooking I would put her in her high chair with a couple of mushrooms and a plastic knife and let her back at them. If I was washing up I'd give her a dry washing up bowl, a cloth and some plastic cups and let her copy. If all else fails just put her somewhere safe like the playpen where she can see you, with suitable toys and let her cry a bit, it will only be for a few minutes, she's safe and you need to get stuff done.

I used to park DD on the pushchair somewhere she could see me and give her a toy to play with. If I sung and danced energetically through what I was doing I'd have 15-20 mins before the screaming really got going!

Unless you're a single parent, or your partner works away, two parents means one holds baby, one cooks.

Baby walker was my friend at that stage; he created mayhem with it but kept him busy

Prep food while they nap to cut down on cooking time. Slow cooker meals worked well for us!
Also I'd put my daughter in her high chair right next to where I was prepping food and give her bits of food/wooden spoon/sieve etc to play with. Singing and dancing also helped 😂

Quick and easy meals or that is when they get 30 mins TV time

As a pp.suggested, I tried to do a lot of prep during nap time or the orevious evening once dh was able to look after her for bit.

I just used to put DS in his high chair in the kitchen with me. Usually with a couple of toys and bits of finger foods to keep him entertained. He didn't typically manage much more than 15-30 minutes, so we ate quick dinners.

Easy meals
Prep food while they nap
One pot / slow cooker
Takeaway
Playpen
Once they get nearer two, a bit of TV
Ignore screaming if it's just for attention

I have three under five, inc twins. There are many difficult things about parenting, but this doesn't crack the top ten imo.

I was a single parent and still managed to do all that 🤷‍♀️ had older kids so couldn’t just not cook dinner for them 🤔

My LO is like this, it can feel impossible especially on your own.
I do a weekly meal plan and get everything prepped once they are in bed for the next day. Also a slow cooker has been helpful. Get it prepped the night before and chuck it in the next morning, a nice homecooked meal by the evening. Or batch cook once they're in bed for a few nights.
Cleaning again evenings really or during nap times.
It feel really difficult and sometimes the housework just has to take the hit, you can only do what you can do and need your rest too. It does get better and you'll find your own routine/rythum.

Also abit of cocomelon, babyshark or something like this on the TV can distract for 10 minutes in their playpen for a quick clean around

OP specifically said without someone else to help. Really!!

this

Get them involved!! It’s only going to become more intense the older they get because they’ll become more interested

order Baby cutlery, give them food to play with, get the pots and pans out with a wooden spoon and let them play the drums. I always put a load of toys in one of the cupboards at the bottom so it’s safe for them to raid.

slow cooker meals
meak prep

Isn't that what high chairs are for?

I used to cook the evening meal at lunchtime, whilst my son was napping, then reheat later. Think spag bol, chilli, stew, lasagne, curry etc

High chair with toys / books / watch you. Kids need to learn they won’t be constantly entertained

Rearrange kitchen cupboards so that pans are in one bottom cup and tinned food in another. Some wooden spoons as well.Take locks off those cupboards and let the baby pull everything out and play while you cook.

Single parent of twins here - give them pots and pans and a wooden soon to bash them with and that will keep the occupied - or buy you food for them to "cook"

Cupboard of Kitchen Based Contraband.
Dd and ds were never happier at dgm's un - child friendly old house unless they were sat in a pan cupboard having taken everything out. A few wooden spoons and they were ecstatic.
Coffee in peace while poor dgm peeled veg for Sunday lunch!
She is still missed!

Drop your standards in terms of what you’re trying to prepare, which doesn’t have to mean chicken dippers, just simple fresh stuff, and utilise nap times.