My 2 Year Old Is in Everything

I am in the same boat as you. I have three wonderful little girls that are beyond active and keep me too busy and I also work nights so I can be home with them during the day. My 2 year old has now decided that as you clean one mess up, she will find another to make. We try time out consistently and telling her that what she has done was wrong, but it seems that it does not sink in. The only thing I can say is consistency. I wish you luck and please let me know if you get any better suggestions.

I am mostly just going to empathize with you because I haven't figured out how to deal with it yet either! My son isn't even two yet but he seems to be at this stage. We try to be firm and say no. If we can move the thing he shouldn't be getting into, we do that. But as you know, there are a lot of things that can't be moved unfortunately! :( He also has an issue throwing fits when he doesn't get his way. I wish I could help you, but I'm glad you asked this because I'm curious to see what other people are doing. Good luck!

T.,

Mine was like that. The only thing you can do is childproof your home. We had to take down our curtains and put locks on everything!

They grow out of it. Mine started to at 3 1/2. Just do the best you can. It is the bright ones that have no fear that (I think) have a zest for life and she will bring you great joy!

Just bear with it the best you can. If she drives you nuts take a time out in your bedroom and put a lock on your bedroom door. That always saved my bacon when she drove me crazy.

D.

HI I hear you on gietting into everything...mine is 3 and is crazy!!!!I do however recomend that you dont put too much out of reach only the stuff that will harm your child main reason is when you take her some where she wont understand not to touch and you will have to ask other peopleput their things up when that isnt fair!!! but good luck, I am still trying to figure out how to calm my child down...I agree with the responce that maby they will be doctors and lawyers!!! (every mothers dream) but just know that this to is a phase and they will grow out of it...just dont ask me when..lol

it is really hard.you just have to stay consistent.also try to have a lot of structured activities during the day.if you are more in volved with what she's doing she's a little less likely to get into trouble on her own.and make sure some of it is messy!lol..also try to go outside as much as possible.i find i worry a lot less about them making a mess and there is less for them to get into trouble with.2 is a tough age.they are trying to figure out just how far they can go.they are trying to discover everything!some are worse than others.my son was realtively easy going.listened pretty well.my little girl who is 11 months is another story.she was walking at 8 months so she was really getting into trouble,and was so little that she didn't understand as well as an older child.i ended up having to really baby proof a lot.in my kitchen she has one cabinet she's allowed into.the tupperware cabinet.it gets frustrating constantly picking it up over and over,but it gives her a place to play and out of trouble.i try to do that in all the rooms.make sure she has one little place that she's allowed to play.keeps her out of other trouble.also i try to switch around toys.after a week or so i rotate toys and bring out other things and put away the current stuff.keeps her interest longer it seems.hope this helps!~Stef~

It's natural for a 2 year old to want to explore anything and everything. They hae a desire to know their environment and how things work. Plus it's fun to make a mess. Try setting up an area for controlled exploration and mess-making. Washable paints and playdough, makeup, pot and pans, whatever she seems to really want to get into. Just keep it in an arrea that's easy to clean up, like the dining room or kitchen. When she does get into something, instead of just saying "No!", tell her "This stays here, but here's something you can play with." Kids really need to be told what's right a lot more than just being told what's wrong.

Also, I've heard this so many times, but didn't really believe it until recently. Kids often only hear the last 2 words you say. When you say "Don't touch that", they hear "touch that". My 5 year old has repeated back to me "Did you say touch that?" So phasing in a way that's telling them what TO DO rather than what NOT to do may help.

Baby-proof everything you can. Stay consistant with what she's allowed to have and what she's not. If you see her doing something she's not supposed to, divert her attention. Have her "help mommy" with laundry, dishes (plastics, spoons and pots work best) and things like that. I even give my son his own rag when we're cleaning so he can clean too. Otherwise he tries to get the spray and can't seem to figure out that the trigger isn't supposed to point in your face.
With you working nights and having other children, it's not going to be easy keeping the little ones entertained, but this phase will pass. Just be sure to set your boundaries and make them clear. If you need more tips, watch supernanny or find her website. It's fabulous and her tactics work with real children.

I've been there. Good Luck. Mine just turned 4 and she's still into everything. Hopefully because they are so inquistive, they'll be a doctor or an attorney.