GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 11:47:02 GMT -5
Does anyone have any experience using the 12v crockpots and/or the personal ovens to cook while driving long distances? College lacrosse season is starting up which means frequent road trips and many meals away from home, so I'm looking for ways to keep myself fed well for a reasonable price. I often stay at suite hotels (Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, etc.) so that I have access to a kitchen, but some of my destinations don't have any of those accommodations nearby. Yes, most rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges, but even microwaved food gets old very quickly. Here are a couple of samples of what I am considering. I worry about hurting the electrical system in my car more than whether the food cooks perfectly:
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2017 11:47:59 GMT -5
No experience, but eager for reviews!
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jan 26, 2017 12:16:14 GMT -5
That sounds more dangerous than texting and driving! But now that I see your pictures, it looks more like keeping things warm while driving and eating when you stop.
I have plugged plenty of things into my power port in my vehicles and never had any problems. My old truck even had external power ports and we used those a lot. As long as you use them while your car is running, your engine will keep your car battery charged. Just don't use them for long periods of time while your vehicle is off.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Jan 26, 2017 12:24:53 GMT -5
I wonder if it would continue to power if your car was shut off like my phone charger does. And if so, would it drain your battery?
ETA: I see the question was already asked.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jan 26, 2017 12:29:48 GMT -5
Along time ago - wasn't there an infomercial for a some sort of crockpot + special case that you would use in your car? Basically, at home, you'd get your meal into the crockpot, you would turn it on and it would heat up super fast. When you were ready to leave you'd unplug, put the special crockpot into a super insulated bag/container seal it up and take it with you in your car - in 6 to 8 hours your 'meal' would be done cooking. You don't connect the bag/container to anything in your car... it just sits there staying hot for hours.
Intuitively, it sounds like a bad idea (food poisoning) but it should work ok. I suspect that the preheat/set up and the super insulated bag/container keep the crockpot at a steady 225 or 250 degrees which is enough to cook what's in the pot. Solar cookers/cooking kind of works on the same premise.... low steady heat.
I'm not sure what the thing was called.
Alternatively, could you use a portable Colman camping cook stove to heat up/cook your food?
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 12:42:59 GMT -5
That sounds more dangerous than texting and driving! But now that I see your pictures, it looks more like keeping things warm while driving and eating when you stop. I have plugged plenty of things into my power port in my vehicles and never had any problems. My old truck even had external power ports and we used those a lot. As long as you use them while your car is running, your engine will keep your car battery charged. Just don't use them for long periods of time while your vehicle is off. Not really. I can keep my eyes on the road and stir at the same time. It's the mincing and dicing that gets a little hairy. I don't plan to cook if the car is shut off, just while I'm driving. I also believe that I have to match electrical demand with electrical supply, correct? So, the cigarette lighter is 12 volts. I can't exceed that unless I get a converter, but even then, I'm not sure that I want to...? My car also has a "regular" looking plug in the rear cargo area (I suspect for electric air pumps and the like for inflatables and tires). I will have to check the power supply there to know whether I can plug any of these appliances in, right?
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 12:44:53 GMT -5
Along time ago - wasn't there an infomercial for a some sort of crockpot + special case that you would use in your car? Basically, at home, you'd get your meal into the crockpot, you would turn it on and it would heat up super fast. When you were ready to leave you'd unplug, put the special crockpot into a super insulated bag/container seal it up and take it with you in your car - in 6 to 8 hours your 'meal' would be done cooking. You don't connect the bag/container to anything in your car... it just sits there staying hot for hours.
Intuitively, it sounds like a bad idea (food poisoning) but it should work ok. I suspect that the preheat/set up and the super insulated bag/container keep the crockpot at a steady 225 or 250 degrees which is enough to cook what's in the pot. Solar cookers/cooking kind of works on the same premise.... low steady heat.
I'm not sure what the thing was called.
Alternatively, could you use a portable Colman camping cook stove to heat up/cook your food? Off to google the crockpot thing you mentioned... And, yes, we do have a Coleman camping stove and a Coleman Road Trip stove, but I'd have to use both of those outside, right, because they are propane fueled? I also suspect it would be more difficult to cook on those while I was actually driving but I'm game to try anything once.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 26, 2017 12:45:34 GMT -5
I guess it isn't so much cooking the food, but refrigerating it both before and after that can be the issue. I guess an ice chest will do ok for that, but it sounds like a hassle.
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wyouser
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Post by wyouser on Jan 26, 2017 13:01:40 GMT -5
I know it says ; spill proof strap down lid......but.... this is Wyoming.....there are 22,000 deer in this county alone....are you sure the contents will stay put when you slam (and I do mean SLAM) on the brakes to avoid one of those little critters? I know friends with suburbans who have had such "little" experiences while transporting food. I have physically seen food dripping out of the endgate two days after one of these incidents. Indeed, the only reason the entire windshield didn't disappear in sticky contents of a crock pot was due to the existence of rear seats and the back of the front seats which kept the goo somewhat off the drivers head and his view directly in front of him. I mean, just sort of visualize how an exploding egg from a microwave can redecorate your entire kitchen. So too will the contents of a crockpot redecorate the whole inside of your car. Remember the contents of your vehicle are moving at the same speed as your car....jam on those brakes and.......well...lets just say "objects in motion will remain in motion.....
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:07:12 GMT -5
Tiny: Found this, the Wonderbag. It is essentially a super-insulated bag that keeps your food safely hot (or cold) for up to 12 hours. Is this what you were describing? This might work for bringing my contributions to the post-game meal we provide the players (because $50k in tuition and my son's long hours practicing and playing lacrosse to bring athletic glory to the school apparently is not enough contribution for the school to buy meals for the kids for away games, but I digress, LOL).
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ken a.k.a OMK
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Jan 26, 2017 13:07:49 GMT -5
Check your car manual. I believe the aux sockets are fused for 10 amps and are only on when your ignition is on.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:10:55 GMT -5
I know it says ; spill proof strap down lid......but.... this is Wyoming.....there are 22,000 deer in this county alone....are you sure the contents will stay put when you slam (and I do mean SLAM) on the brakes to avoid one of those little critters? I know friends with suburbans who have had such "little" experiences while transporting food. I have physically seen food dripping out of the endgate two days after one of these incidents. Indeed, the only reason the entire windshield didn't disappear in sticky contents of a crock pot was due to the existence of rear seats and the back of the front seats which kept the goo somewhat off the drivers head and his view directly in front of him. I mean, just sort of visualize how an exploding egg from a microwave can redecorate your entire kitchen. So too will the contents of a crockpot redecorate the whole inside of your car. Remember the contents of your vehicle are moving at the same speed as your car....jam on those brakes and.......well...lets just say "objects in motion will remain in motion..... Good points. I read warnings of such on a couple of RV forums. I don't need my dinner to become airborne. By the way, did I tell you all about my drive down to Maryland this past Saturday when, out of nowhere, while cruising at 65-70 miles per hour, a coyote was suddenly outside the front passenger window? I kid you not. I suddenly had an up close and personal view of the coyote's open mouth, teeth, eyes, ears, fur. I don't know how it didn't end up under my car with me running over it. It was gone as quickly as it was there. ODS was driving at that moment. He did a stellar job of maintaining control while simultaneously freaking out. Damn.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Jan 26, 2017 13:13:12 GMT -5
How about an electric grill and a toaster oven? Not for in the car of course, as an alternative to microwave meals in your hotels. The crockpot sounds novel, but it would stink up your car like crazy.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 13:25:20 GMT -5
Tiny : Found this, the Wonderbag. It is essentially a super-insulated bag that keeps your food safely hot (or cold) for up to 12 hours. Is this what you were describing? This might work for bringing my contributions to the post-game meal we provide the players (because $50k in tuition and my son's long hours practicing and playing lacrosse to bring athletic glory to the school apparently is not enough contribution for the school to buy meals for the kids for away games, but I digress, LOL). That cannot be real. It seriously looks like something out of an article from The Onion.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:26:38 GMT -5
How about an electric grill and a toaster oven? Not for in the car of course, as an alternative to microwave meals in your hotels. The crockpot sounds novel, but it would stink up your car like crazy. Hmmm, I like the way you think. But, and I'm sure it's just me, I have never found a toaster oven that bakes well and evenly.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:31:16 GMT -5
I'm still a little confused if you're cooking for yourself or the team. If it's yourself or you and your son, have you thought about freeze dried camping food? I've never tried any of them, but there seems to be some good variety out there. Um, yup, I was clear as mud. I came seeking cooking, or actually, heating options for me. But, given ODS' food allergies, I planned on sharing whatever I cook/bring with him for his bus ride back to school from away games. That said, we are asked to contribute to the post-game meals for the entire team a couple of times per season. As I started exploring the various options, it became clear to me, and me alone because I didn't explain it here, that maybe I can solve all 3 needs somehow. Sometimes I wander off on solo tangents. Sorry. Are the waters clearer now, or did I muddy them further, LOL?
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 26, 2017 13:31:23 GMT -5
Tiny : Found this, the Wonderbag. It is essentially a super-insulated bag that keeps your food safely hot (or cold) for up to 12 hours. Is this what you were describing? This might work for bringing my contributions to the post-game meal we provide the players (because $50k in tuition and my son's long hours practicing and playing lacrosse to bring athletic glory to the school apparently is not enough contribution for the school to buy meals for the kids for away games, but I digress, LOL). When my sister was rowing, my folks used to make a big pot of something (chili, stew) at home and just heat it up on a Coleman stove. Usually, they made things that were better the second day. Then the meal was supplemented with apples, muffins, cookies, rolls, etc.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:32:05 GMT -5
Another idea is just making food at home and then getting a car refrigerator for transport. Then heating up at the hotel? That would seem easier to me. Hmmm, off to google "car refrigerator"...
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:34:08 GMT -5
milee: it's real. It comes with mixed reviews, but in reading enough of them, it appears to be user error rather than an issue with the concept. I personally would not cook things from raw using the Wonderbag (as instructed), but I could certainly see re-heating a batch of chili at home and then transporting it 6-8 hours in one and having it still be safely hot upon arrival. Or am I being naive?
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 13:40:15 GMT -5
I'm still a little confused if you're cooking for yourself or the team. If it's yourself or you and your son, have you thought about freeze dried camping food? I've never tried any of them, but there seems to be some good variety out there. Um, yup, I was clear as mud. I came seeking cooking, or actually, heating options for me. But, given ODS' food allergies, I planned on sharing whatever I cook/bring with him for his bus ride back to school from away games. That said, we are asked to contribute to the post-game meals for the entire team a couple of times per season. As I started exploring the various options, it became clear to me, and me alone because I didn't explain it here, that maybe I can solve all 3 needs somehow. Sometimes I wander off on solo tangents. Sorry. Are the waters clearer now, or did I muddy them further, LOL? Or... you could use your real life stories of your difficulties to STOP THE MADNESS that is the after game meal. My son rowed for a while so I got a first hand look at the crazy, extravagant spreads that were fit for a Medieval King and were expected after every meet. It sounded like all those things that start with good intentions - let's give the kids a good, hot meal after they've worked so hard, but the reality was an overdone production that was one more expensive, difficult thing for already overburdened parents to juggle to contribute to. Parents were guilted into providing a spread of food they probably wouldn't even have at their own house but as part of the Competitive Parenting that is the new norm, that was how it grew into the monster that the after game meal is today. Heck, I have a friend who continued to be the "team mom" after her son went away to an Ivy League school several thousand miles away. She'd fly to all the games the day before and spend the day shopping for groceries and arranging hot food - crazy!!! For her, admittedly it wasn't a financial burden, but I also don't think she thought about the social pressure her actions put on all the other parents who may not have had the same means to contribute similarly. The players aren't children - they're young adults. If the school isn't going to provide a meal, they can bring a portable, heavy snack for after the game. Really, they can. It won't kill them and will be good practice for how to handle feeding themselves when they are in the work world in a few years. Having each kid bring their own bag of portable foods of their choice (fruits, nuts, veggies, HB eggs, for example) makes a lot more sense than asking parents to not only drive/fly a thousand miles to see their kid but also play short order cook in their car.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:43:35 GMT -5
I'm still a little confused if you're cooking for yourself or the team. If it's yourself or you and your son, have you thought about freeze dried camping food? I've never tried any of them, but there seems to be some good variety out there. We haven't had much luck finding any that doesn't contain allergens, so I try to arrive with enough time to cook something from scratch in my hotel room before the game (or find a trustworthy restaurant to provide a hot, SAFE, meal for him). He often faces a 3 hour ride back to school from his away games. Seeing as many of the games are 7:00 p.m. starts, meaning he left campus at 2ish, he is STARVING after the games. Last year I worked the phones and local contacts to find safe pizzas for him to eat on the ride back, but even that was hit or miss. To his credit, he is willing to tough it out on occasion and subsist on safe snacks he brings with him until he gets back to his house on campus after midnight, but that plan isn't ideal. Now that he is a sophomore and a year of playing under his belt and we both have a better sense of how the travel games play out, we are continuing to tweak our plan to see if we can get him a safe post-game meal. Since I will be at most of the games anyway, I offered to explore some home-made options. But, home-made means it needs to be transported at a safe temperature for 6-8 hours. Hence, my thread seeking ideas for cooking while driving.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 13:46:17 GMT -5
milee : it's real. It comes with mixed reviews, but in reading enough of them, it appears to be user error rather than an issue with the concept. I personally would not cook things from raw using the Wonderbag (as instructed), but I could certainly see re-heating a batch of chili at home and then transporting it 6-8 hours in one and having it still be safely hot upon arrival. Or am I being naive? It's naive to think: 1) That you won't end up with a layer of chili over the entire interior of your car at some point. 2) That it's reasonable to expect parents to bring food like that to feed the players after a game. 3) That these young adults are too dumb, helpless or lazy to figure out how to feed themselves. Having each player bring a bag of their own favorite portable snacks for after the game makes a lot more sense than thinking it's remotely reasonable to expect a parent to cook a huge pot of chili at home, drive it 5-6 hours and then serve it. That really is ridiculous and maybe you should be the one to start pointing that out instead of feeding the madness.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jan 26, 2017 13:48:32 GMT -5
Tiny : Found this, the Wonderbag. It is essentially a super-insulated bag that keeps your food safely hot (or cold) for up to 12 hours. Is this what you were describing? This might work for bringing my contributions to the post-game meal we provide the players (because $50k in tuition and my son's long hours practicing and playing lacrosse to bring athletic glory to the school apparently is not enough contribution for the school to buy meals for the kids for away games, but I digress, LOL). No, that is NOT what I remember seeing.... and it does look like something from the onion... not to mention how would you keep it clean?
What I saw was an info-mercial with two plump women who were shilling their product - which looked a lot like a "designer" tote bag and was intended to have a HOT pot put into it and it would maintain the temp for hours.... I'll google and see if I can find it.
And GRG - I assumed maybe you had a pick up truck and could just set up the grill on the flat bed... and have your burgers cooking as you sped down the high way I suspect my older siblings have attempted that at some point in their lives...
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jan 26, 2017 13:52:42 GMT -5
milee: If he wasn't playing 2 or 3 competitive DIII games per week and away from campus for 10 or more hours on away game days, I would totally agree with you. (Club lacrosse tailgate spreads during ODS' high school days were the same as your rowing meet spreads: grander than most kids were fed at home.) However, at the college level, ODS, and the rest of the team, really, needs to stay well-fueled during the season to recover after games and to maintain his stamina through the season. The term "hangry" was no doubt coined for him. When on campus, he cooks 3 of his 4 meals for himself each day, so I don't worry about his ability to take care of himself. I'm just looking for ways to safely feed him during specific times when he will be away from home for a large chunk of the day and leaving it all on the field before his day is done.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jan 26, 2017 13:57:16 GMT -5
Ok, the google knows all!!! I can't post a link for some reason - but google "Thermal cooker" and you should get a list/variety of cooking pots.
Basically, you heat up your food on the stove (bring it to a boil) in a special pot, and then seal the cooking pot and transfer it to another insulated pot and seal that one too... the food will slow cook from that point forward.
This is the concept from the infomercial from a decade or two ago- except the Ladies doing the shilling also included a designer insulated bag (which looked to mimic a designer hand bag) to put the whole assembly into and to make it look chic and attractive in your car.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 13:58:04 GMT -5
milee : If he wasn't playing 2 or 3 competitive DIII games per week and away from campus for 10 or more hours on away game days, I would totally agree with you. (Club lacrosse tailgate spreads during ODS' high school days were the same as your rowing meet spreads: grander than most kids were fed at home.) However, at the college level, ODS, and the rest of the team, really, needs to stay well-fueled during the season to recover after games and to maintain his stamina through the season. The term "hangry" was no doubt coined for him. When on campus, he cooks 3 of his 4 meals for himself each day, so I don't worry about his ability to take care of himself. I'm just looking for ways to safely feed him during specific times when he will be away from home for a large chunk of the day and leaving it all on the field before his day is done. You are going to great lengths to justify something. Of course he needs food; and of course he needs a lot of it. The justification stretch comes in that you need to be the one to provide it. Feeding yourself in a manner appropriate for your needs is a basic adulting skill. If he seriously cannot figure out a way to carry enough portable snacks to feed himself in this situation, my worry as a parent wouldn't be how I could lug a pot of chili 1000 miles, it would be how to teach him this basic skill. If he can't do something like this, he isn't ready for college. Redirect all this time away from being his secretary and short order cook into educating him or helping him make a reference list of safe, quick, portable foods he can take with him. Step away from the silly bag and into the real world... I'm sure he's strong and smart - he can handle this. Really, he can. As nice as it is when your mom feeds you, it's also nice to realize your mom trusts your capability and that you can be a mature adult, too.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jan 26, 2017 14:03:31 GMT -5
I'm with Milee - I wasn't part of a travel anything in HS - but I did do a lot of before and after school stuff at the school with friends. Being "girls" we would usually coordinate so that we had food ready to go after whatever we were doing. (a couple people would be responsible for simple sandwiches - someone was the 'chips', someone brought the "dessert" which might be fresh fruit or even pudding cups.. (ah, the memories). If you were going to sit with us and eat with us you had to bring something to the table to share - even if it was a bag of twizzlers (ok the twizzler bringer also did clean up and had to carry stuff for us girls so they weren't getting off scot free...) We had a group of 6 or so out of the typical group of 20 who would join us - some came and went... it was very informal and sometimes very much "stone soup" for the meal. Parents were not really involved in this...
THAT said... it is FUN to brainstorm solutions for the 'problem' GRG has set out for us...
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jan 26, 2017 14:08:52 GMT -5
milee : If he wasn't playing 2 or 3 competitive DIII games per week and away from campus for 10 or more hours on away game days, I would totally agree with you. (Club lacrosse tailgate spreads during ODS' high school days were the same as your rowing meet spreads: grander than most kids were fed at home.) However, at the college level, ODS, and the rest of the team, really, needs to stay well-fueled during the season to recover after games and to maintain his stamina through the season. The term "hangry" was no doubt coined for him. When on campus, he cooks 3 of his 4 meals for himself each day, so I don't worry about his ability to take care of himself. I'm just looking for ways to safely feed him during specific times when he will be away from home for a large chunk of the day and leaving it all on the field before his day is done. You are going to great lengths to justify something. Of course he needs food; and of course he needs a lot of it. The justification stretch comes in that you need to be the one to provide it. Feeding yourself in a manner appropriate for your needs is a basic adulting skill. If he seriously cannot figure out a way to carry enough portable snacks to feed himself in this situation, my worry as a parent wouldn't be how I could lug a pot of chili 1000 miles, it would be how to teach him this basic skill. If he can't do something like this, he isn't ready for college. Redirect all this time away from being his secretary and short order cook into educating him or helping him make a reference list of safe, quick, portable foods he can take with him. Step away from the silly bag and into the real world... I'm sure he's strong and smart - he can handle this. Really, he can. As nice as it is when your mom feeds you, it's also nice to realize your mom trusts your capability and that you can be a mature adult, too. but maybe it's a 'fun' tradition or maybe going the extra mile results in some sort of other 'touchy feely' of value experience. Those are sometimes the most memorable/laughable things in life. If this was a "chore" and 'unpleasant' or 'value-less' I'm sure GRG wouldn't be here light heartedly "brainstorming" alternative ways of cooking...
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 14:11:01 GMT -5
THAT said... it is FUN to brainstorm solutions for the 'problem' GRG has set out for us... When I traveled a lot for business (was away from home 5 days a week for several years), I often did quick, portable meals at my hotel rather than eat out. It's a little easier now that so many places have healthier options, but I still think it's easier to eat healthy if it's food you prepare. Like GRG mentioned, most hotels will have a small frig and microwave and that was enough to make healthy foods. The first day of my trip, I'd just go by the local grocery store and pick up things like oatmeal, fruits, veggies, salads. Maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of the crock pot type meals anyway, but I just found it easier and healthier to stick to simple basics. Maybe this is a function of how people tend to eat normally, but instead of trying to figure out car cooking, I'd rather try to figure out a few simple meals that don't require that level of complication or risk of spilling.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jan 26, 2017 14:16:32 GMT -5
You are going to great lengths to justify something. Of course he needs food; and of course he needs a lot of it. The justification stretch comes in that you need to be the one to provide it. Feeding yourself in a manner appropriate for your needs is a basic adulting skill. If he seriously cannot figure out a way to carry enough portable snacks to feed himself in this situation, my worry as a parent wouldn't be how I could lug a pot of chili 1000 miles, it would be how to teach him this basic skill. If he can't do something like this, he isn't ready for college. Redirect all this time away from being his secretary and short order cook into educating him or helping him make a reference list of safe, quick, portable foods he can take with him. Step away from the silly bag and into the real world... I'm sure he's strong and smart - he can handle this. Really, he can. As nice as it is when your mom feeds you, it's also nice to realize your mom trusts your capability and that you can be a mature adult, too. but maybe it's a 'fun' tradition or maybe going the extra mile results in some sort of other 'touchy feely' of value experience. Those are sometimes the most memorable/laughable things in life. If this was a "chore" and 'unpleasant' or 'value-less' I'm sure GRG wouldn't be here light heartedly "brainstorming" alternative ways of cooking... Oh, I know. The moms who did it and organized it truly did it because they wanted to do something nice for their kids and the team. But as with so many of these other things, it tends to morph into something else. Once the "standard" Medieval Meal is established, then there's pressure to do that for every game. And even if other parents don't want to serve or their kids to eat those types of foods they are pressured into contributing or they're viewed as deadbeats. And think how hard this is for families who have financial struggles? They're already pinching every penny so their kid can be on the team and now they have to come up with this huge extra expense and hassle? This all starts out as a nice thing that morphs into a huge burden - sometimes for people who don't want and can't afford it. And it also feeds into the problems colleges are already seeing with kids who need courses in "adulting." It's not the end of the world if a kid is not mature enough to go to college - my oldest son struggles with some things and may bump up against this. But bottom line - if you have a kid who doesn't have the basic skill of figuring out how to feed him/herself, then keep the kid at home another year and spend the time teaching him/her these important basics instead of spending crazy time and effort on how to prop them up long distance.
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