14 month old climber

[BethyM99]

I am exhausted from pulling my 14mth old down off of things when we are upstairs. He climbs on the dining chairs, if they are close enough to the table he's on the table. When I move them away he climbs on the chair and dances around. He climbs the couch. I know he's got this newfound skill, but being newly pregnant and having a 4 year old to take care of too I'm finding my patience is getting worn thin. We try to spend time outside letting him run and climb his little slide, but still he doesn't relent.

Does anyone have any ideas???? Also, is there a gentle way to get DH to quit going "no no no no NOOO... " everytime he does something? It drives me batty!

[DeepGreen29]

I wish I could help
We are going through almost exactly the same thing!

I let my 15 month old climb on some things, and just redirect (over and over) for the dangerous ones like tall tables and tippy chairs. I am just assuming he needs to learn about his environment. He is a little young to follow "rules" yet, so it's a lot of work to redirect him.

I am sorry to hear that it's affecting your daily life so much I cannot imagine! I hope you get some good advice here!
Good luck Mama!

[Piglet68]

This must be pretty hard when you are pregnant!

First, think about all the places he can't climb...is it really that he can't? If you can find it in yourself to let go on a few things it might make life easier for both of you.

Second, this is a phase, and he'll pass it eventually. You won't be having to do this forever!

Third, can you get him some things he can climb on? Some pillows, foam blocks, little slides, etc? He's obviously got a lot of energy!

As for DH, just put him in a timeout when he says "no"... :LOL Just kidding! Why not talk with him one day when you have a moment and tell him why you don't want him saying that all the time, and better - give him suggestions on what to say and do. If he doesn't buy the GD stuff you can always say that you want "NO to mean NO" and he's diluting that by using it all the time.

[mpeel]

I try not to interfere unless my children are putting themselves in a very dangerous situation they are not old enough to evaluate for themselves. Example - pile of bricks under a tree, or a chair that has unusually lose joints, etc. I offer them information to make an informed decision on whether they can accomplish what they are doing. Take the bricks under the tree - "There is a pile of bricks under that tree. Are bricks as soft as grass? Is this tree a good choice for climbing or is there another tree that would be better until the bricks are moved." Another example, the chair - "That chair is broken." (I may wiggle it to show her how is it broken.) My youngest may say "Ok, can I climb?" I would respond, "Is a broken chair safe or could it fall?" She usually walks off pouting saying "It will fall."

I feel that if I allow them to develop a trust for their own intuition, they know better what they are able or not able to do without my intervention. My youngest was a little over a year old when she climbed to the top of one of those spiral bar things at the playground (the kind your kind of use as a ladder to get to a high platform.) My back was turned loading film in my camera. I turned around to see her at the top. A bit my tongue and said nothing. She grinned at me and carefully climbed back down. Off to the next adventure. She also loves to climb to the top of my Suburban. She was just over 3 when she first did that and scared the breath from me. I asked her to get down explaining that the neighbors of our friend might be alarmed at someone so small on top of a car. Most people did not like the tops of cars. She does do it at home. She is sure-footed and makes informed decisions about what she is able to do. She knows her limits. My oldest has been in school longer and around my mom more (who tell her to be careful more than anything else) and has begun questioning herself. She broke her arm last weekend when in the middle of a jump she questioned the safety of it and freaked. Had she just done it, she'd have landed fine.

Many have trouble understanding my "casualness" about this safety issue. But, I am not chasing them constantly. They know their limits, I trust they know their limits and I can enjoy them instead of nagging them. I have also informed them about stoves, knives, etc and they both cook with me regularly. They love it. When they are young, it is more work. You are constantly giving them facts and helping them make decisions for themselves. And you have to be on your toes and catch them before they are on top of something. It is especially hard when you are pg, I remember. But, it pays off. You are not constantly telling them to "get down you might hurt yourself" as they get older. They know how to make that decision for themself.

[sunnysideup]

It's hard with one so young! My son walked at 9mos and was a climber, so I can relate. Like the previous poster, I think it's best not to hover. Make your house safe (like gated stairs), and step back a bit. A fall from the couch, a chair is not a big deal. Broken bones are better than broken spirits .

[Chele]

I don't know, this is a tough one. I am dealing with it myself. Ds is almost 2 and he is climbing on tables etc... I try to let some things go, but I really have a hard time doing that when I am scared for him. I don't know that a broken bone would even stop him. I feel like he would get a cast or whatever and be back to doing the same things in no time so in my mind I would rather avoid that happening all together. I do get weary of redirecting and explaining over and over again. I think you just have to hang in there and be diligent, all phases seem equally challenging in their own way. I am sure it is even harder when pregnant. I am amazed at the strength and perserverance we mamas can muster up.

[sbmama]

We are right there with you all. My ds, 17 months, LOVES to climb. We're trying to be consistent with the redirection, and I also try to repeat what his choices are, so he still can feel in control of the situation. (i.e. You can sit on the chair or stand on the floor)

That being said, our chairs spend some time stacked on the table for part of the day so the temptation is removed for a while and my ability to remain patient remains in tact. The rest of the house is his to explore, so I also agree with making as much of his environment as safe as possible and stepping back to let them learn their limits.

Good luck!

Heidi