Guest post: Cooking Up a Connection

This is a guest post from daddy blogger Matt @ DCUrbanDad. Matt is a married father of a 2-year-old daughter. He likes tennis, running, and a good movie.

When it comes to the ways of the kitchen, I'm not too shabby. I mean, I'm no PJ Mullen from Real Men Drive Minivans, but for the most part, I can find my way around. I can do the basics. Ya know -- mix, chop, cut, and fry. I know how to use the crock pot and can whip up some french toast, some basil pesto, or some homemade mac & cheese.

Lately, however, cooking has become not only a way to eat, but also a way for my wife and I to connect with our full-of-energy 2-year-old daughter. A way to do something fun beyond the coloring, beyond the block building, and beyond Elmo.

If you have or have had a 2-year-old, you know that it's not easy to sit down and have a conversation with them. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible. At this point in their life, they are all emotion and have the attention span of a gnat. Even if you do get them for a few seconds, the responses to your questions are often 1 to 3 words. But even at this age, it’s important to set a precedent: the lines of communication are always open.

I know there will come a time when she will try to close that door. She will call me old. She will say that she wishes she had different parents. She will say that we just don't understand. I am hoping that by doing these things, like cooking together, we will create an atmosphere where we can openly talk about what's going on. So that later down the road it won't be forced. Rather it will feel like a natural part of family life.

Only time will tell.



The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of National Fatherhood Initiative.