[laralee16]

I want to gd, I really, REALLY do. But I just dont know how I guess. My son gets in to EVERYTHING! He is so much like his father, and wants to "fix" the video games, and tv, and light plugs. He will unplug lamps and try to plug them back in.(I have moved all the lamps but one, and that one can not be moved or eles we will not have light in the living room.) He loves my yarn, I think because he sees me knit. I have had to block off both the kitchen and all the bedrooms, and the bathroom. (climbing over the gate when I need to pee is not easy! lol) and he has started to climb the gate if I go to the bathroom, or try to fix him food. I just dont know what to do anymore.

His ped says time out. I think he is to young for time out, He will not understand "I did something bad, so I am being punished". But I am at the end of my rope here! redarecting does not work with him, when he wants something he wants it. "no" starts a temper tantrum the likes of witch you have never seen. I'm just at the end of my rope here.

 

[alegna]

He's a year, right?

Redirect. Or block and avoid.

It's simply not fair to ask him to not do "fun" stuff at this age.

Redirect, offer something else instead (that is similar, if he wants to climb, offer something he CAN climb etc)

-Angela

 

[Think of Winter]

What's your priority? Allowing your ds to explore, learn, and figure things out, or having a child that always does exactly what you tell him? I think once you figure that out, it's easier to come up with a strategy (although not necessarily easy to put into practice.)

If you want to encourage all these cool inclinations that he has ("fixing" things), you have to make your home a "yes" place rather than a "no" place (in Dr. Sears' words.) We have trouble with this stuff, too. In fact, I have at least half a dozen problem places in my house (computer, dvd player, stereo, dishwasher, etc.) They're just irresistable to my kids! I know I really need to spend some time making these things safer and putting together fun activities to lure them away from the forbidden ones. At 12 mo (and really, indefinitely) I want to encourage exploring and seeing how things work. Giving myself a little lecture here.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna He's a year, right? Redirect. Or block and avoid. It's simply not fair to ask him to not do "fun" stuff at this age. Redirect, offer something else instead (that is similar, if he wants to climb, offer something he CAN climb etc) -Angela

:

Your instincts are right, mama. At a year he is much too young to 'punish'

 

[Daniel's Kitty]

We have about 3 or 4 gates and some plastic door knob covers that I use on things to keep the off limits stuff out of the way. Just wait. I have one of the smart ones and he has figured out how to start the gamecube (plugging controllers in and everything) He just can't figure out what tv channel it is. Almost nothing is posible to keep out of his way.

 

[akemi]

Something I find works, is to spend a lot of time in areas that are yes areas if it's not possible to make your home a yes area. For instance, we spend a lot of time in the fenced backyard playing with bubbles and balls, or bowls of water. Also, we take walks, go to the mall, go to the early years center etc every day so that DD doesn't get bored, and find entertainment in the entertainment unit of the living room etc.

 

[WhaleinGaloshes]

At age one -- and barely at that, happy birthday! -- you really need to focus on making his environment as explorable as humanly possible. Set him up for success in this way; there just isn't a way to teach, coerce or otherwise *get* him to know and remember rules (without him spending practically his entire day in 'time out.') Re-examine what you don't want him getting into and get creative to put everything else possible off limits.

For lamps that needed to be plugged in, I've moved other furniture to block the plug; if you lock the toilet and cabinets he should be able to come with you into the bathroom; I'd let him play with some yarn and keep the rest out of his reach...this isn't much help, I know, it's your best bet for both a happy, peaceful house and a baby that has plenty of opportunity and space to explore and learn.

 

[bdavis337]

As for the plugs and outlets, you can buy covers that allow you to keep things plugged into the outlets, but prevent little fingers from pulling the cords OUT. They are PRICELESS in my house. TOok me a while to find them, but thye're out there. Let me see if I can find some for you......

Outlet Cover Link

These are fabulous, and you can still use the outlet.

 

[cdahlgrd]

Yep, WAY too young for time out! I don't understand where ped's get the idea that that is oK.

We LOVE the outlet covers!! Also, we just close doors and use knob covers. When you use the bathroom, just let him come too. Afterall, soon he will be potty training and this early modling will come in handy

.

It isn't until between 2-3 or even 4 that kids really start to understand the rules about everything: "don't eat leaves off plants, only off your plate. No digging in dirt in the house, only outside. No throwing toys. . . except for balls. Don't play in the cubboards. .. . except the 2 with my toys." Etc.

Soon, you will realize that the bathroom door has been unbaraccaded for hours, and there isn't a huge pile of tp in the toilet!!

 

[Daniel's Kitty]

Be careful with the toilet locks though. Ours lasted about an hour, and most of that time ds wasn't allowed in there.

 

[misseks]

Playful parenting can help too:

"Climbing is for jungle gyms!"

Or, maybe get him his own wool, his own kitchen toys, his own climbing space. What he isn't allowed to do now he will do when you are not looking, and when it is potentially much more dangerous!

Try to enjoy the experience and don't get too hung up on no-nos.

 

[laralee16]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have moved things around the living room (the only room he can really play in) so it is safer for him to climb, and he seems happer. The only other problem I am having is him biting, pinching, and pulling my hair at bedtime.

: ahhh, lol.