After watching Josie 'cook' for Dolly last week, I thought about ways of extending that play without succumbing to the lure of a little plastic kitchen complete with plastic foodstuffs. Firstly, we don't have room for that; secondly, and more importantly, I'm trying to reduce the amount of plastic we buy that will eventually end up in the waste stream and the environment, and thirdly, I think that with Josie's imagination, this will work just as well. Maybe better. My little cardboard stove top can be set up various places for play. The little 'saucepans' (egg poachers we inherited from John's grandparents) and other little bits of kitchenware should give her a good start. And there are some pictures of food. (Not too many sweets, Claui.) We'll see how it goes.
I admit to a moment of asking myself: Is this good training for a future feminist? Will I find myself getting her a little vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board, broom? Would I be doing this if she were a boy? Then I decided that, boy or girl, there's nothing wrong with beginning to learn life skills. And learning to take pride in a job well done -- whether it's cooking or sweeping or whatever. (While I actually enjoy doing the occasional bit of ironing, I have a feeling that for most people of Josie's generation, the iron will have gone the way of the buggy whip. So no tiny ironing board.) As I said, we'll see. A two-year-old is a fickle creature. She may want nothing to do with my little kitchen. I have another plan. Last time she was here, she told me that some of Dolly's clothes were dirty. I'm seeing a little wash day happening on the front porch, complete with clothesline and clothespins. Much as she likes to play in the water, I think this could be fun. And Dolly needs clean clothes.