AHHHH...what if redirection doesn't work and natural consequences are not an option?

[AllyRae]

Bran (12 months old) has a new love...he is absolutely obsessed with electrical outlets. Most of them are babyproofed, but there are some things that have to remain plugged in. No matter how many things we push in front of the outlets, he ALWAYS finds a way to get ahold of the plug and play with the outlet. Now, in this case, natural consequences really aren't an option, obviously. I redirected him for about 20 minutes, safely allowed him to have 4 tantrums (because he was majorly ticked that I wouldn't let him play with the outlet), and finally he got bored and went across the room to dance to the kindermusik cd (naked of course... :LOL). But, sure as rain, when he was bored with dancing, it was back to the outlet...

So, what do I do now? I won't spank him and I won't push large heavy objects in front of every outlet (because that's impossible...the one he was particularly intrigued by was between the mattress and the bathroom door so I can't move a dresser there or anything. How do I redirect someone who is clearly very determined, without crushing his determination and curiousity... I'm all about the natural consequences of one's actions, but not in this case...

[Ruthla]

Maybe get one of those outlet covers that you have to screw into the wall?

[tboroson]

I second the outlet covers. They're clumsy, but they work well. WalMart, Babies R Us and Home Depot all carry them. They have a plate that attaches over the regular face plate of the outlet with cutouts to let you plug in your plugs, then a big cover that latches onto that plate, which lets the cords come out the bottom. Erm... let's go looking for a linkypoo to a picture...

http://www.safety1st.com/product.asp?productID=173
http://www.safety1st.com/product.asp?productID=192

[AllyRae]

Those are perfect! Thank you!!! Happy baby, safe baby, happy mommy! Thank you!

[hhurd]

A little off topic, but what is it about some kids and outlets??? My 2.5 ds has been OBSESSED with outlets for over a year now. One of his first words was, you guessed it, outlet!

I just don't see the attraction...anyone have any thoughts?

[kerc]

Originally Posted by hhurd

I just don't see the attraction...anyone have any thoughts?

it's a little hole you can put things into that ellicit's a response from mommy when you do so.

[mwherbs]

here is another kind of plug in protection

http://www.toytips.com/no_tug.lasso

[girlndocs]

OK, I just have to say, naked dancing 12-month-old -- how cute is THAT???? :LOL

[AllyRae]

LOL Kristin...it is the cutest thing I've ever seen...he just starts dancing around all naked (LOL, he likes to dance like elvis too...one knee bending and his hips shaking side to side)... He's too funny!

[hallesmom]

Those covers sound great-I'll have to get some. DD's new thing is unplugging and plugging in the space heater. It drives me nuts! I hid the heater and she found it! Then, I just wrapped the cord really tight and knotted it so she couldn't get it out....but lordy-give it up already!

The scary part is that she can unplug and plug things in!!!!!!!!!! woah!!!!!!!

Nekkid dancin baby!! too cute!

[amethystrse]

Orion used to be totally into outlets and wires. His favorite thing was to go under the computer desk to get at the mess of wires and the surge protector. We were constantly pulling him out from under there. Eventually he just gave up. But, it took forever and I was constantly afraid he would get hurt.

Only thing I can offer is that they eventually get over it. If I remember correctly, the best thing that worked was distraction techniques. Basically where I would distract him and he would forget about the plugs for a while.

The worst was when he learned how to take off the outlet covers and would try to plug things in. I'm so glad he's over that phase. Yes, they do get over it. I think around 2 1/2 or so.

[canadiangranola]

The thing that scared me the most with ds is that he knew he wasn't supposed to play with them (same problem...he would unplug things) but then if hje heard me coming from the other room he would quickly (in that 14 month old awkward way, try to plug it back in....the thought of those little fingers between the prongs gives me the chills....dh was about 8 when he zapped himself this way...

anyway, outlets are one of the things that I decided early on (after distraction and all didn't work, that I would just have to be firm about....so, each time he goes near one (it has just about stopped now, at 18 months), I would say "Elijah, NO! Danger! and OWIE!" and then pick him up and take him a few feet away from the outlet. Perhaps I was crushing his spirit a bit by my tone of voice, but I prefer to think that I was teaching him the seriousness of my words."

I would suggest that the one problem with those nifty outlet covers (thinking that they're safe and so they can play with them) is that eventually, whether at your house or someone else's, your child will find a place where the outlet isn't covered and that could be really dangerous. So, I would say, by all means, get the covers, but still try to deter ds from outlets.

[Foobar]

Please be careful of the outlets that fit over your standard outlets. The connection is not as deep as normal and you are placing a strain on the item plugged in.

Anyway, we told Goo OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER that she couldn't play with those. It is a pain, but if you stick to it...you will get the point across....

[moma justice]

not only does my dd (16 months) love outlets....she also is very ORAL and will suck on and chew on anything she can get ahold of.....she is also very VERY Strong willed......
so when she does something that could be potentially lethal....i allow myself to have a natural response (as opposed to her natural-near-death-exp.)
i scream....not AT her but about her.....not hysterical BUT like i am scared....

i used to try and give a firm no and redirect
and not give it too much attention...i did not want to make it more attractive to her like that...she is really into to testing me....

then that seemed to not be working....
so i would then allow myself to react the full amount.....
picture: i see her with an electrical cord in her mouth and i shout: OMG! ELLAINA! honey nonnononononono....(run to her and take it away and hold her) oh sweetie that could have been awful! don't ever ever put those in your mouth they could hurt you so bad....moma would not be able to make it better.....you could get soooooooooooooooooo hurt....it really scars momma...please don;t ever do it....etc.

that is working for us