[msiddiqi]

DS (17mo) loves to throw things. It only bothers me when it's something breakable, he's throwing something HARD at someone or it's food that is going to cause a big mess.
I've been trying to teach him to put things down gently, and when he wants to throw, I try to redirect him to a ball or something instead. The problem is that now it seems he's doing it more...I guess he's testing his boundaries. But it's getting really hard to deal with. I'm trying to be firm and consistent without overreacting but sometimes my voice gets a little louder when I'm really fustrated.
Just the other day at a wedding, he threw a glass of coke he found at my dress! Luckily, I developed cat-like reflexes in an instant and leaped out of the way and saved my clothes.
Most things DS does really doesn't annoy me much but this throwing thing needs to stop! I've already gotten 3, 4 bumps thanks to a block or cup being thrown at my head.
Some suggestions please!!

 

[mezzaluna]

our DS went through a throwing phase when he was younger... maybe more like 10-14 months?? lately when he's throwing things it means he needs to poop! honestly!

i just tell him once that we don't throw X, but we can throw Y over towards Z or we can play with W instead. if he continues to throw things, i start running the diagnostics - does he need to go potty? is he tired? does he need a break and cuddle/nurse time with me? does he need a snack? a change of pace? something always works...

my suggestion... don't tell him not to throw things more than once or twice per incident. if he continues, step in and divert, redirect, delve into the real problem before you get frustrated with his behavior. you will be communicating your expectation that it's not ok to throw things, but you'll be helping him figure out what to do instead, and modelling for you how he can communicate to you that he needs something, if that's what's making him throw things. if he's just doing it for fun, then a little redirection will help him outgrow the habit quickly, i hope!

 

[faithnj]

I wish I had an answer! My DD has been at the pool a lot, watching the adults and big kids play volley ball. Now, she not only throws a lot-- she throws two handed, by taking the object, bringing it behind her head, and then hurling it forward! Wow! Girls don't throw like that! LOL! (Jokingly said by her tomboy momma!) I'm secretly proud of her throwing ability. But I dunno. I gotta find a way to re-direct this to somewhere reasonable, or else the dog or somebody is gonna get bonked really bad!

Faith

 

[Chanley]

I had a mama crochet these soft balls for me. They are filled with fiberfill and have somethign that jingles in them. Those are the only things that are allowed to be thrown in our house.

Of course my kids forget that and this very morning, one kid threw a hotwheel at the other one. the other one promptly picked up a hot wheel and chucked it at the other one. Great lesson there! Hurts everyone to be hit in the head with a car. (I won't tell you how old they are because it might worry you since they are a good bit older than yours).

Perhaps you could do some throwing games? We have fun bowling on the kitchen floor with foam blocks and a ball.

 

[BusyBeeMom]

I'm eager for tips. My mom babysits our 19 month DD, and is totally fed up w/the throwing. DD loves to push chairs over to tables/counters and toss all the papers or books or whatever else to the ground.

Signed,

desperate for ideas

 

[msiddiqi]

Yeah I think I might be saying it too much instead of just ending the situation at the beginning. He almost looks for me to be looking at him, and then he throws. I know he's interested in my reaction. Im going to work on just physically just redirecting him.
Thx for the tips.
Btw Rosemary, DS isn't doing it because he needs to poop but that is REALLY hysterical

 

[sheandaru]

My 3 yo is throwing things, too. We have a game that I bring out whenever he's "in the mood" for throwing. It's like a velcro darts type game. It satisfies his throwing cravings.

 

[green betty]

Ping pong balls are 6 for a dollar at our dollar store. For $3 altogether I got a couple dozen and a wire basket that I call the "ball caddy" and just let ds go crazy with the balls as much as he wants. We make a fun game of picking the balls up too. We also have heavier balls that he can throw outside. A couple times a week we go to the beach and throw rocks for an hour (check my sig for the visual). That's all very satisfying for him and cuts down on the inappropriate throwing... some! He's developing a great arm--pegged daddy from about ten feet away yesterday.

 

[msiddiqi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by green betty Ping pong balls are 6 for a dollar at our dollar store. For $3 altogether I got a couple dozen and a wire basket that I call the "ball caddy" and just let ds go crazy with the balls as much as he wants. We make a fun game of picking the balls up too. We also have heavier balls that he can throw outside. A couple times a week we go to the beach and throw rocks for an hour (check my sig for the visual). That's all very satisfying for him and cuts down on the inappropriate throwing... some! He's developing a great arm--pegged daddy from about ten feet away yesterday.

Wow what a great idea...I need to try that one.

 

[Chanley]

Just be careful with those pingpong balls, they seem teh perfect size for getting lodged in the throat.

I think the rulle of thumb with young children under 3 is if it can fit through a toilet paper tube, it is too small.