Help with gentle discipline and throwing...

[micah_mae_]

My son is 21 months and his favorite pastime is throwing things. I know that for some that is no big deal but it is for us. He throws things at us, he throws heavy/sharp/dangerous things, etc. I just don't know what to do. Ideas?

[swd12422]

We had the same at that age. It's FUN (for them...).

Heavy/sharp/dangerous things were all removed from reach. Toys or anything else that was thrown at us we would take away, and explain that we don't throw things at people. We also have lots of (soft) balls outside, and when something got thrown, we'd say, "We only throw balls. OUTSIDE." And we could go out and play catch a little. IDK where you are, but if it's getting too cold to do that, get some bean bags and play catch with them inside if you can't get outside. Make it clear that these are the only things we throw. Eventually, he can learn to wait til you're ready, too!

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by swd12422

We had the same at that age. It's FUN (for them...).

Heavy/sharp/dangerous things were all removed from reach. Toys or anything else that was thrown at us we would take away, and explain that we don't throw things at people. We also have lots of (soft) balls outside, and when something got thrown, we'd say, "We only throw balls. OUTSIDE." And we could go out and play catch a little. IDK where you are, but if it's getting too cold to do that, get some bean bags and play catch with them inside if you can't get outside. Make it clear that these are the only things we throw. Eventually, he can learn to wait til you're ready, too!

Thanks, the bean bag idea is good because we can do it in the basement.
I love the "we only throw outside" idea but I'm 33 weeks pregnant and our backyard is not fenced in. He has a tendency to run off and I can't quite waddle fast enough to get him.
I think the problem with us is that we allowed throwing balls in the house, but then I don't think he understood why he could throw balls but nothing else...
We try to keep things out of reach but sometimes it's things like..his fork? Heavy shoes? Etc.