My kitchen has a new little boss girl

I used to have a kitchen. Then I had a daughter.

Although Madeline is only three, she’s not shy about telling me what’s up.. or down… or in her way… or anything, really.
The kid is assertive.
Some would say bossy. Some would say bratty.

I say, “That’s just Maddie.”

In about the last year or so, she has taken a shine to baking—not cooking, just baking. She likes to “help” with cookies, cupcakes, cakes (not orange) and anything else that we decide to whip up.
We refer to my stand mixer as “The Robot Mixer.”

When my “little Betty Crocker” first started to gain an interest in baking, my mom or I would say to Madeline, “Let’s make cookies. Will you help me?”

And of course, we—the adults—decided on the type of cookie or cupcake, etc.

Such is not the case any more.

Madeline will say “I want chocolate chip cookies.”

That is not open to negotiation.

If I decline and offer up another choice, chocolate chip cookies are immediately suggested again, and again.


Chocolate chip wins.

And do you know why chocolate chip wins?
Because it doesn’t matter. It’s a tiny battle that doesn’t need to be fought.
So what if we have enough batches of chocolate chip cookies to feed a small army? And so what if she wouldn’t let me frost a single sugar cookie even though I bought every conceivable color of sprinkles and sugars?

She informed me that sprinkles and sugars are “just for cupcakes.”

Silly me!

I’m just glad she likes to bake. I’m glad to spend time with her in the kitchen and I am glad that she is learning.
In time, I am sure I can convince her to make other kinds of cookies and try other kinds of cakes. But for now, chocolate chip and no bakes are her favorites. And daddy is okay with that.


And that’s ok by me, too.