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Anyone who has tried to cook a meal while watching a toddler knows how difficult a chore this can be. I know that if I don't keep my little girl busy and entertained, she's either off in another room scaling the furniture, clinging to my legs and screaming for attention, or grabbing for hot pots and kitchen shears. So, here are some ways I've found to keep her safe and happy while I get dinner ready.

1. I have a cabinet for her to explore. I keep the bottom three shelves of my pantry stocked with things like boxed (sealed) macaroni and cheese, cocoa mix, small canned goods, dry cereal - things she can take out, stack, rearrange, sort, etc. We even got her a little plastic grocery cart ($8.99 at Toys R Us), so she can shop in the pantry to her heart's content.

2. I'll set her up in a high chair with a big bowl of corn meal or oats, and some plastic measuring cups and spoons. She has a ball pouring, measuring, and stirring. Note - this can get messy but sweeps up fairly easily; or you could use a drop cloth if your floor is carpeted.

3. My daughter likes to play with refrigerator magnets. Toddler-safe magnets can be lots of fun and provide good entertainment. We bought her a barn magnet puzzle kit (as an alternative to potentially unsafe regular magnets) that plays songs when she matches the pieces; it's cute and she enjoys it.

4. Stickers are always a good diversion, if you don't mind peeling them off the cabinets!

5. We will sometimes give her a task that can be done on the floor or in a high chair, like 'sorting' the mail. This makes her feel as though she is helping out.

6. I will occasionally get a step stool and let her stand at the counter and help to prepare the meal. She can do things like tear up lettuce, or place chopped vegetables into a bowl, or put shredded cheese on the lasagna.

7. I'll position her on a stool at the sink and let her 'wash' some plastic dishes.

8. I give her a kid-sized broom and let her sweep the kitchen floor (hopefully she'll still enjoy this type of thing when she gets older!).

9. We will often turn on the radio so she can sing and dance to the music. Note - this is much more fun (for both of you) if you join in, too!

10. If all else fails, and she doesn't want to go along with any of these activities, I know it's because she is hungry and I give her a light snack. You don't want to spoil their appetite for the upcoming meal, so just be sure to make it something healthy and not too filling, like diced fruit.

Cooking with toddlers is a challenge and a half. Try some of these tips, and also remember to have fun! They're only this age once.