Coffee & Children: A Guide to Harmonious Coexistence

Μια κούπα καφέ σε ένα σπίτι με ένα δίχρονο γεμάτο περιέργεια, μπορεί να εξελιχθεί σε μια πραγματική περιπέτεια.

We wake up, make a hearty coffee, and as soon as the smell of Ethiopia or Guatemala hits our nostrils ... “Mom, Dad, what are you drinking? I want too!"

Living with a child is definitely not like in the illustration ads, since in her daily life she can have many difficult moments, which are overcome with patience, knowledge and of course a lot of love! Is it possible for our favorite drink to be a source of ... trouble for a two-year-old or a three-year-old devil? Of course it can: a lighted coffee maker, a forgotten cup of coffee, a tantrum because dad or mom won't let him try his favorite drink, and much more.

We have prepared a small "survival guide" that will make everyday life a little easier for coffee-loving parents - or at least, so we hope!



7 tips for coffee-loving parents that will make your life easier!

Hold your coffee high: When living with a child, we should be familiar with the basic safety rules, according to which objects that are potentially dangerous for a child, are placed in a place inaccessible to children. Although coffee is naturally not as dangerous as medicines or cleansers, it is a given that a child should not consume or chew ground or instant coffee, while coffee beans can also cause suffocation, especially in younger children. We keep the coffee tightly closed in jars that open with difficulty, ideally on a high shelf or cupboard.

Do not leave your coffee alone: ​​A half-finished cup of coffee on the table, mom in the bathroom and dad talking on the phone ... the temptation is great! Of course, we do not leave our coffee unattended, as the natural curiosity of an infant can make him "download" in the blink of an eye. The same goes for unwashed glasses: a child's finger can find sweetness in the espresso cream that has stuck to the bottom of the cup.

Coffee makers are electrical appliances: A coffee maker may be very simple to use and the risk of an accident from its use may be really negligible for an adult, but for a child it remains equal to a ... spaceship. Do not forget that the coffee maker is an electrical appliance, which carries the same risks for a child as any other appliance in the house.

Beware of hot water: If we boil Greek coffee or heat water for our filter coffee, special care is required, as an accident can happen in seconds. We always have in mind and we never leave a kettle with hot water or a kettle that boils without supervision, if a child is circulating in our house.

Forget about Tiramisu: There are many dessert recipes that contain coffee, with the most famous (and favorite) the traditional Italian Tiramisu. Unfortunately, these sweets are ... forbidden when there are children in the house, since they can not consume them and their preparation will lead to ... unnecessary tensions. Of course, if Parliaros wakes up inside us, we can prepare our coffee-dessert, without fail to prepare a "virgin" version of it, without coffee, for the little ones at the table.

The imitation game: Children learn the rules of behavior and discover the world through imitation. It is reasonable and expected that they want to copy the behaviors of mom or dad, and that of course includes coffee. The solution is to always have their own mug on the breakfast table (filled of course with milk, cocoa or a babyccino) so that they can participate in the "ritual" of coffee, without drinking coffee.

When you grow up, you will drink as much as you want: The parents of older generations made a common mistake, identifying harmful habits (such as smoking or alcohol abuse) with adulthood, saying that it is "for adults". In coffee, we do not have such problems. It is a healthy product, not at all harmful, but it is really "for adults". Discussing it with the child and comparing coffee with another adult (but not harmful) activity, such as driving, can make it much easier to understand the age limits.



The next morning, along with the coffee, prepare a babyccino and talk to your child about your favorite habit. With love, good mood and patience, everyone will enjoy their drink happily, without friction.