Meet Kensli and Heloise Ahoure | 3 Years Old Aspiring Chef and her Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kensli and Heloise Ahoure and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kensli and Heloise, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I was told some years ago that “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary”.

These words kept on rolling back in my head when I realized that my daughter, Kensli, who was 2 years old at the time, was making an omelet from cutting tomatoes and mushrooms, cracking eggs to flipping the omelet from the pan, and serving in a plate.

Kensli showed interest in cooking when she was 1 year and a half. Allowing her to use a knife (plastic knife) and getting close to the stove was a decision I took by following my child and showing her the proper way to handle it.

When I started sharing her cooking journey on social media, one of the most recurrent comments I got was ” aren’t you scared? she can burn herself.” But my first thought was she can be going down the stairs, fall and break a leg or fall from a climbing wall at the park and get hurt. These are probable situations that we are aware of. However, they do not keep us from letting the child have fun.

I could have decided to only let Kensli express herself in her pretend play kitchen but I challenged this thought and worked closely with her to let her thrive in what she desired.

Taking this risk didn’t mean I didn’t feel fear, acknowledge fear, or let fear inform me; I just didn’t let it stop us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a part-time project consultant and a full-time mom. I am a mother who is trying to have a not-so-ordinary relationship with her child by following her interest and desire with boundaries as well as fostering her independence.

Kensli turned 3 on October 5th. She can properly cook a meal with little to no help, do her laundry, fold, hang her clothes, get dressed, sweep and mop the floor, and is an excellent gardener (she loves to take vegetables in the kitchen, pot, and water them. She is currently growing cherry tomatoes, carrots, scallions, and garlic).

It got easier when I stopped wanting her to do things my way. It took me some time to realize we could read a bedtime story before she showers instead of taking a shower and then reading a story. At the end of the day, both things will get done.

The greatest lesson/skill I learned as a parent is patience. Allowing Kensli to pick her outfit for the day and get dress by herself may take 15 more minutes. However, during these 15 minutes, she is working on her decision-making skills, evaluation of what she wants or likes, eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and the opportunity to do something by and for herself.

Trust me, I never knew I would be raising Kensli from this angle. But I’m learning so much from her. I think she is actually raising me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Without hesitation, the first place will be our dining room for a taste of Kensli’s food. Then, I will let Google guide us through the city as I like to try new things and have an unique experience with whom I’m discovering with.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my other half Damto Lare. He is the backbone of this family and always supports everything we undertake with great advice and guidance.

Instagram: @followinghersteps