Ok so my son hit the "terriable twos" when he turned 15mnths old lol! he is generally well behaved but really likes to push the limits. He is now almost 21mnths old and has been getting into more trouble. Not always on purpose, he just gets curious and his curiousity is going to get him hurt. for example he likes to stand on the couch and and bounce, and he has already fallen off twice doing this. I am worried he is going to really get hurt. we tried taking him off the couch but now that he knows he is tall enough to climb on it himself this is not working. also he keeps taking things out of outletts. even the baby proof covers! the other day he took his nightlight out (from inside his crib!) and unscrewed the bulb and started sucking on it! he knows he is not allowed to take things out of outletts and normally when he misbehaves he gets a time out. We place him in his crib for a minute or two (or longer if he is in for a trantrum. we let him stay in till he calms down. usually no more than 5 minutes) this has been workiing well intill two days ago when he discovered how bouncy his crib matress is. now when he is in time out all he does is bounce and giggle defeating the purpose. What do I do? He will not stay on a chair or in the corner by himself. Do I hold him there? what do you moms do? I should add we dont have steps so I cant sit him on the bottom of the stairs. and I wouldnt anyway because he hasnt mastered climbing downstairs and he would climb up and fall down them when I turn around. I am not sure a chair will work to well just because he is only 30inches high and is to short even for toddler chairs
He really Doesn't know. The best thing to do, if you're really concerned about safety, is to stay close with him, and keep unsafe stuff away and out of sight. Make sure there is a lot of fun, safe stuff right there at hand for him to touch and put in his mouth, etc. When he does get something unsafe, trade him for something better and redirect to another activity. Help him find better things to do, and do them with him.
He doesn't get it.
Kids this age, also do NOT have fully developed Impulse-Control yet.
I also would rather don't use his room for time outs.
Instead I would use a chair or in our case the first step of the stairs.
It's all normal...not that that diminishes any of the frustrations you're having, but at least you know it's normal and you are certainly NOT alone!! Keep redirecting until you're blue in the face. Move the nightlight so he can't get it when you aren't around. Continue doing time out, don't worry about it if he's having fun while he's there. The point is to remove him to the situation and you're doing that, he doesn't really get the ins and outs of time outs yet, but the fact that you can stay consistent with them will help.
My son is 19 months and we are dealing with most of these same issues as well. I asked my pediatrician about holding him in time out as well and he said go ahead and put him in the crib that I shouldn't hold him there. Although, I do sometimes if we're not at home and I think it's fine. Do what works, stay consistent, that is what will make the biggest difference I think. In a few more months things will get easier...hopefully! ;)
When my kid started doing this I gave him a pinch or I just slapped his hand and he knew "no" meant business. I never had a problem w/him disobeying again.
I have no idea. I feel like a kinda failed in this area as I had to start spanking after my son decided he would not be held in time out and broke one of my ribs kicking me to get out.
I disagree with the crib for time out. I think that a childs room should be a happy place.
Try a time out chair - it will take a lot of work on your part but should be worth it. Tell him what he did wrong -you jumped on the couch, no jumping on the couch. Then put him in it and stand over him. Keep sitting him down. He needs to stay down for a solid minute. Then he says sorry (or get a hug/good job since he is so little).
