In 2023, a Censuswide study assessed how parents feel about the time they spend (or do not) with their children. A glaring three-quarters reported wanting more time to read with their little ones. Almost 81% of parents appreciated the importance of quality moments together.
Unfortunately, finding time is challenging in our hectic lifestyles. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, chores like meal preparation will take up a large chunk of your day.
You cannot avoid cooking and cleaning tasks as they are essential for the family’s health and nutrition. But we can make our living spaces more functional to find more hours to spend with our children. Let’s see how to build a streamlined kitchen that can make life a teeny bit simpler for busy parents.
1 Switch to Counters That Are Easier to Clean
The sight of dirty countertops in the morning can be emotionally draining. Sadly, they may prevail if you have small kids in the house. It is hard enough to keep your head above water, and cleaning the kitchen may not be too high on the list.
You can simplify things by decluttering your countertop and switching to materials you can clean quickly. Real Simple reports that porcelain counters are non-porous, which largely protects them from deep stains. You only need a quick wipe with soap and water to get them all new again.
Quartz is another terrific option for durable countertops. This material is also much more heat-resistant than marble. Moreover, the non-porous nature reduces the likelihood of bacterial growth. It can reassure parents whose children love licking delicious things off countertops!
Also, reduce the number of items on the counter to make cleaning quicker and limit that overwhelming feeling. Even storing things in baskets – yes, as Marie Kondo told us – can help things look more sorted.
2 Reconsider Your Cabinets for More Storage
Much in the house changes when small kids enter the household – including the layout of kitchen cabinets.
The idea is to equip your cabinets with more storage since little ones need a lot of stuff. Think: kids’ cutlery, bibs, bowls and plates, and special blenders for pureeing solid foods. Deeper cabinets can help you store more without making the space seem overflowing and chaotic. You can consult a remodeling specialist to create an affordable and practical plan for these changes.
The timeline and costs differ across regions based on labor costs and the size of the kitchen. For example, if you live in a suburban-ish place like Oak Ridge, you might be fortunate enough to have space for creativity and renovation. Consequently, home improvement in Oak Ridge can take 8-12 weeks. Even so, well-planned home improvements can simplify your life for months to come.
According to Preferred Construction, strategic design changes can balance aesthetics and functionality. So, you can restructure the layout to store sharp objects in higher cabinets that children cannot reach. Similarly, the toys that your toddler loves playing with when you’re cooking (read Tupperware containers) can be at a lower height.
3 Create a Mini Play Area in Your Kitchen
A persistent challenge many parents face while cooking is the constant interruption from little kids. They want your attention and do not understand that cooking is essential to fill their tummies!
You can manage this challenge by building a safe, happy space in the kitchen for children to play. It could be a small model kitchen where your imaginative bub could imitate your moves and learn a few meal-prepping basics. It could be more of those Tupperware containers with sound-producing objects like spoons and wooden ladles.
Be careful when choosing the toys your kids play with in the kitchen. A Chemosphere study found that black plastics in some utensils and toys can contain brominated flame retardants. These chemicals can harm children and are best avoided.
It can be difficult for compact kitchens to find space for a play area, but even a nook outside works if your child can see you. Keeping them engaged during cooking speeds things up and rids you of the ever-present guilt about not doing enough for your children.
4 Some Kitchen Gadgets Can Slow You Down
Purchasing “time-saving” gadgets can be tempting for parents. Time becomes a rare commodity with babies in the house. A nifty egg boiler or a rice maker seem alluring for their capacity to simplify regular tasks. The problem is that some kitchen appliances can make tasks more complicated and cumbersome.
Consider a popcorn maker. Most people can make popcorn on the stovetop or in a microwave. The gadget doesn’t accomplish much time-saving but fills up precious counter space. Add cleaning and maintenance to the list, and you start questioning its utility.
Many other gadgets can be equally questionable. Do you need that banana slicer? An egg separator may be pointless if you can confidently use a funnel.
At the same time, a gadget many deem useless may be indispensable to you. A garlic press or a salad spinner often evokes contrary opinions. Allow a few moments to consider which appliances help you in the kitchen and which aren’t worth their keep.
Considering remodeling can be daunting when life is so packed and busy. However, gradual changes to your kitchen can have long-term benefits in making daily routines faster and smoother.
The kids will also appreciate the edits if you add thoughtful accents like bright colors and avenues for pretend play. Moreover, they will perceive the rewards in those extra stories and longer cuddles – not only at bedtime!