Ok, I need a moment to vent. I was in the middle of decorating a cake for tomorrow's 4-H bake sale, when the 3d house started to lean. I asked DH to please come and help me (of course the tv was on so he wasn't paying attention!) He finally came out to see what was the matter. By this time cake is leaning more than the Leaning tower of Pisa. I asked him to cut me a dowel rod real quick!!!! He moses out to get his tools, and I ask the kids to please stop stomping around the house. Did anybody listen?!?!?! Of course not! I turned around just in time to watch the cake fall over and slide off the cake board. Needless to say, that cake is not going to the bake sale. What is it with DH's and kids pushing all the wrong buttons when it comes to my cake time? That's supposed to be my happy place! Thanks for listening, I feel better now.

I can totally relate. I have 3 toddlers and an 8 yr. old. They seem to need me the most when I'm decorating. My 1 yr. literally plants herself at my feet while I work while the other 3 fight for space on the 2 stools by the counter. That leads to the stools getting moved to the garage.....loud screams and cries and essentially a huge headache.

Sorry this had to happen to you and thank goodness it wasn't for a client. Just know there is some of us out there who are in the same boat........just in case you ever want to vent......it helps.

First of, breathe!! Go to your happy place I know what you mean, i have two little ones of my own, two girls 3yrs and 7 months. I know how hard it is to prepare a cake with the kids running around or screaming, and my dh sleeping on the couch... sometimes what i do is bake during the day and decorate after i put them to bed at night, i know that it cuts into my precious sleep time, but i'd rather preseve my sanity than lose a little sleep. My dh will say "yeah go finish your cake, i'll watch the kids, but that never seems to work. You know little ones, they always want mommy. Just know that your not alone. There are other mommies sharing your pain. Im sorry about your cake.

Sorry about your cake! I have a really hard time convincing my DH that I need time to do my cakes, he just doesn't think it's a priority. Of course he enjoys eating them though
Why don't men come with remote controls? They always have one in their hands anyway...

so sorry. deep breath and then start over.

Speaking of DH's, mine actually tried to help me out the other night, I was very tired after a day of cakes, and the baby woke up so he was going to give her a bottle. A few minutes later she was in her room just screaming and he could not get her calmed down. I had to get up, went to help and picked up her bottle and it was real heavy. Earlier that day I had used one of her bottles to store Coconut cream in because the bottles make good storage. I hid it in the back of the fridge so no one would use it, and guess what he had given the baby. No wonder she was so mad. The stuff was so thick from being refridgerated, thank goodness it would not flow into the nipple. Guess I better not use bottles for storage.

I hear ya loud and clear!! I have two boys..2 and 4. (Oh yeah, they're my avatar now). Oh sure, they look all cute and innocent in their aprons waiting to help, but looks can be deceiving! My youngest once ate a whole corner of a cake...FOR A CUSTOMER! Hubby only understands once in a while...to busy with his own stuff! I usually let the boys help me bake the cakes (pour the ingredients in and such), then when they're in bed that's when I decorate. Oh yes, some nights have been as late as 3:00, but it's almost worth it than to make the same cake twice! Good luck, wish I had a solution, but if you find one, please let me know!!

my kids are 6,4,soon to be 3 and 1. They will want nothing to do with me until I try to sneak a little baking in and then they are like bloodhounds sniffing out my trail. I love them but they will all be trying to "help" me or screaming at my feet wrapped around my legs. hope things get better for you, I think a lot of people on this forum are in the same boat.

Be careful what you wish for, there are plenty of women out there who would take DH off your hands. AND contrary to popular belief.......What's out there is not necessarily better than what you have!

Dowels don't keep cakes from sliding and tipping, they only keep upper layers from crushing lower layers and only work between 2 cake boards. So go easy on the fam.

Hubbies make great engineers for planning out the building and supporting of cakes. Mine just waits around for the dowel cutting duty. The last wedding cake I did I was stressing out and asked him to apply the pearls to the choc quilting. He did a great job. Especially since he was on crutches and couldn't help me transport the cake!

I hear you and I understand. I have 2 kids, a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old. It never fails that when I want to get anything done...especially something I'm in a time crunch for, that is when they act up. My 3 yr old is usually trying to lick the frosting or the beaters, etc. The baby just wants me to hold her. I usually try to do any decorating and some times baking when they are asleep. This helps. I've seriously concidered getting a babysitter at times.

Sorry about your cake. I'm sure it would have been great.

off topic but...

hmmm, I can't wait till my son is big enough to sit next to me and wrap his arms around my legs when I'm decorating! =) (I have a 7 month old son who still can't sit up without my help.)

I want someone to take my husband and kids, anytime I'm cooking and my husband is home I have 2 kids in the kitchen or screaming they need something and my husband is sitting somewhere doing nothing or outside doing something that could wait until after I'm done. Then when the meal is ready and on the table I have to wait 10 minutes for him to quit what he's doing and he's the one who wants to eat as a family.

Once he can do it the novelty will wear off quick. I'm still wondering where my baby went and he's 3.

My hubby, bless his heart, really does try to help. I don't know about you guys but I'm the type of person who needs total silence when I'm decorating a cake. I mean, ALL of my concentration goes into what I am doing. My hubby will come into the kitchen singing or whistling and I lose total concentration. I mean, I'm so glad that he is happy but it drives me nuts. He also has this knack of coming in at the wrong time (when something didn't turn out right) and says OH, that looks wonderful, you sure are doing a great job. But after the cake is all done, I go give him a big hug and kiss and tell him that I appreciate all of his support. Even though he can get on my nerves, I don't know what I'd do without him. Just don't tell him I said that.

My poor husband can't seem to get it right either way. He is either ignoring the screaming 5 and 6 year olds at my feet wanting the juice that is pushed back behind the half sheet "Dora the Explorer" cake, or he is standing over my sholder giving age old advise from a man who has never decorated a cake. He is an electrical engineer that is in the process of going back to school, you should see the page of math he used to figure batter per pan and servings. I love him to death, but there are days where I would like to tell him where to stick his "pi squared."

As for the kids, I have to occassionally give them a cake to bake. The last one was my birthday cake, the dog ate one whole layer while it was cooling. They have learned that when Mommy is baking for someone else, no helping, no touching and no dogs! They groan when I announce another cake going on the callendar.

I think anyone with a husband & kids can relate. Sorry about your cake. My 19 month old hangs at my leg or else I let her sit on the cupboard and "help", but then I have to watch her like a hawk. He sits and watches tv or critiques what I am doing. Sometimes I would like to stick his head in the cake. The joys of being a mom.

Did you guys see the stand mixer that Target has for toddlers. It looks like a stainless steel KA and actually has the whisk & the mixing motion. I'm getting one for my two year old cause he loves to try to play with mine...just thought I would share in case you guys haven't seen it & maybe it will help give your little ones something to do while you decorate.

This topic is soooo great! It's so sounds like my life!!!! I have twin four year olds and a 3 year old- they will watch tv, play any time of the day EXCEPT the minute I get out the mixer- then watch out! Tommy hit Me!!!! I want to watch Sesame Street- No! I want Mickey Mouse ClubHouse- Big Baloon Race! (thrown in by 3 year old).

Of course DH is busy reading his new book because its Sunday and his day to rest

Some days!!!!!!!!

Sweetheart, go right ahead and vent. We've all been there. (With four kids 6 and under... well, let's just say I've had my share of cake casualties.) Just cry.... it makes you feel better, and let's face it... DH's will never change.

Well you could have my DH. He knows I have a very important cake to do for his friend. What does he do?....Asked to go fishing and leave me with the kids (22 mo. and 9 mo.)!!!!! Needless to say, I am leaving work early today to finish! Most of the time though, he is very supportive and eager to help with the dowels and help me do projects I have never attempted. As for the kids, I try to decorate after they go to sleep. Its the only time I can get where I don't hear crying or "Mommy, I want this and that and this"!

Oh, I failed to mention that my kids are 14 and 12. Old enough to know better! Why is it that they want to be (act) adult until I have a cake to do, then they turn into heathens?

Wow, I don't know how you girls do it. My kids are grown and out of the house and out from under my feet and it is all I can do to get my cakes out. And my husband helps me! He's sifting powdered sugar, washing paddles and bowls, gets the supplies out of the cupboard. He says he is my occasional and unofficial sous chef. He is the BEST!