HELP!! My 3 Yr Old Won't Stop Getting in Fish Tank

Have you tried putting him on time out each time he does it. My daughter responded well to time outs at 3. If you keep putting him on time out each time he gets into the fish tank, eventually he will quit.

The issue is discipline and conseguences. 3 is old enough to learn about negetive conseguences. I know how enticing the fish tank can be, but I am sure there are other things that have been enticing to him and you have taught him "don't touch". Also, his getting your attention with his behavior and seeing you get frustrated and retape it may even be more exciting than anything else. Most importantly, fish tanks have a very high level of bacteria and can cause fungal and bacterial infections. Especially in young children because they put their hands in their mouths. I used to work for doctors and hospitals and I have seen it. Be sure to wash his hands well every time he sticks his hands in the tank. This as a negative conseguence may even work. About the discipline, there are lots of good books and tapes that can help. I rented the tape, 1,2,3 Majic from the library and thought that it worked well with young kids. Does he respond well to time-outs? If not, try holding him still for his 3 min. time-out. Also, try positive consequences. Like praising and rewarding (small) for every hour or so that he keeps his hands out of the tank. Try telling him what behaviors you DO want to see as apposed to what you don't want to see. Remind him to make "good choices" when he looks tempted. It should only take a few days to see major changes in his behavior. Most importantly, STAY CALM! That one has always been the hardest for me. Good luck.

My kids did the same kinds of things. My youngest got into the habit of using our tank as a basketball goal, throwing her cereal into it from her high chair. I don't know how she made it in, because her chair is always at least 5 feet away, and sometimes I wouldn't notice the cereal until it began to grow fuzzy mold. If you plan on keeping the tank, and spending a bit of money, I would definately recommend investing in the heavy wooden tops for the bigger tanks. They completely enclose the top of the tank, but have a raisable lid so you can feed the fish and access the tank for whatever you need, but it is heavy enough that little ones can't raise it on their own. You can find them at most pet supply stores, like PetSmart. Hope this helps!

you need to nip this in the butt soon try putting him in a naughty spot and let him know only food goes in there and let him feed the fsh but tell him we can do this together make it a fun thing you could also involve the dad mabey even buying him a fish to put in there and tell him fishes dont like to petted just like to be looked at

I am sorry to laugh at your plight, but I can because I share it. Last spring, my then 2 year old son was in the living room by himself for about 3 minutes while my husband talked to the construction guys on the front porch. I laughed so hard when my husband called me at work to tell me the story. Things that took a swim included the cordless phone, a box of kleenex, a tube of lotion and all 5 remote controls. Not funny, but funny just the same. As our tank is a 75 gallon on a stand, I never thought he would be able to achieve this mysterious little feat. However, he had climbed up on the back of the chair and had a good ole time. I don't have any advice on how to get it to stop--he just didn't ever do it again--but I thought sharing my story might help you to feel that you are not alone. Good luck on finding a solution!

get a screen top they just snap down on the tank and it will take care of the problem. But be carefull cause it does not stop them from pooring liquid into the tank and killing the fish. Maybe you should help your child understand that it is huring the fish and tell him that it makes the fish sad and makes them cry. Also a fish tank can and will fall off of a stand they do tip alot easier. You might have to move your tank to another room until your son is older. I am a fish person myself I have a 100 gallon and a 85 and 50 and three 10 gallon and a few other smaller tanks so I have been there,

Hi N.! That is too funny. I had to have a good giggle over that one. Most people write in with all these terrible problems. How funny. Most kids like water, guess he does too, best thing I think for you to do is put something heavy on top and show him while you do it and say things like, Ok now we have to make sure the little fishies don't get out of here, daddy likes his fishies, now come on over here and we can play with some other water, ok? And then set him up something that IS acceptable for him to play with. I would get a clear rubbermaid storage bin and fill it up, put some toys in it or some fake plants and let him be happy.

Can you move the fish tank to a new location to where he can't get to it all the time. Do you have a really short base for your tank? Maybe opt in purchasing a taller base so that he's not able to get into it?
I like the idea of getting him his own little fish bowl that he can play in.
Good luck

I had the same problem with my boys. My oldest son even took the fish out of the tank, using the net, and put them in water in the bathroom sink so he could see them better. He even used the correct "fish water" (distilled water). You just have to "punish" him just like if he was doing something else he's not suspose to do. Take time out every now and then and watch the fish with him and talk to him about the fish. Tell him how mommy and daddy take care of the fish and when he's old enough he can help. Don't duck tape the top, just watch very carefuly and if he is trying to get into the tank put him in time out or whatever method you use to punish him. He has to learn someday that he can't play with everything, some things are for watching. There's a company called Growing Families International, they have some realy good resources on almost everything you can imagine on raising children. Their books are mostly age spicific. If your discipline tacts don't work very well, maybe another apporch will help. Their web site is www.GFI.org if you're intrested. A majority of the items are "bible based" but they do have books with the same info minus the scripture if you're not religous. I haven't had to worry about my fish tank being "invaded" for about 2 years now. My boys are 4,5, and 7. Good luck!

I have a three year old and a 55 gallon fish tank, too. One of our fish died after she dropped a dirty spoon in the tank. I showed her the dead Oscar and told her how sad I was that she had caused it to die. After explaining simply to her that we can't touch the tank - ever - she has left it alone.

I would still have had a serious fish dying conversation with her had the Oscar survived.

N.,
I know how you are feeling as I am in the same boat. Reading your post made me think of my own 3 yr old son and our 55 gal tank. I agree with the time out thing and hope that your little one learns for it as my son cant seem to learn. He will get right back and do it again all day long and it still doesnt bother him to have to sit out. He is in the pulling the chair to see how high he can get. In the last few months I have had to drain the tank and start fresh 3 times already. He has spilled Mt Dew in there while I was in the bathroom. LOL He said the fish were thirsty. He has thrown a dirty rag that I had just washed his face with along with dumping the whole thing of fish food in the tank. I have lost so many fish its not funny. I have told my husband that once they are gone I am done and it will be drained. LOL This is his pride and joy too. Just the other day I came into my room for just a second and my daughter was hollering at me because he had a pair of tweezers trying to catch the fish with. So I know what you are going through. I hope it is the age and he will out grow all of this because its not only the fish its our dog and cats that get it too. I am at my wits end myself and nothing seems to be getting through with him.
I wish you all the luck,
K.

Heya N.,
Compromise, at three they don't care for our opinion. Why don't you go out and get the little one a fish tank all of his own with a fifty cent goldfish. Then he can play and get wet, also, buy him/her an apron and teach them that if they want to get wet, they have to protect themselves.
On the flip side, go up to his/her space and move things all around. Move the places you eat dinner and the toilet paper, move his shoes or what=nots and then explain that it is the fishies home and when we move things it doesn't help but hurts. If he moves things in the fishies home then you are liable to hurt them or confuse them. Why do that?
Over all remember, he is your son and deserves way more attention than any 55 gallon fish tank could. Maybe your husband needs to also take this as a learning experience and an opportunity to share something heloves with his son.
J.

I'm a little shocked at the suggestions to get your son his own tank & fish - I don't think it's appropriate to REWARD him with fish of his own to ABUSE. I'm a firm believer in dicipline, so I don't care if it's time out or something else, but set some boundaries! If you rearrange the house what does that teach him!? I also think it would be great for your husband to get your son more involved when he takes care of the fish. He's apparently interest, so show him the right way to do it. We just got a take for my daughter & she LOVES to feed them & points to each fish by name. Good luck & keep us posted about what works.

L.

N.:

I would suggest getting your son his own "fish tank" (minus the fish). Put in a little water (enough to have fun, but not too much to soak him), some plastic plants and fake fish...Let him know that the big tank is daddy's, and the little one is all his!

A. L