Hi Mom's - i need some mommy advice. Basic 101 stuff i'm sure! I am a first time mom and my daughter is a CLIMBER! Do I love it-- yes! I'm thrilled that she is adventerous and agile. However unless I watch her like a hawk i'm afraid she will hurt herself.. She climbs up on everything.. the couch, the leather chair, the leather coffee table. She even stands on her scooter! Is my house babyproofed? Sure all the sharp edges and breakables are gone. She has a million toys, even when I get down on all fours and play with her she insists on getting on the couch and then she will RUN across the couch cushions, back and forth and then she just figured out that if she crawls over the arm of the leather chair that she can then move from the leather chair to the couch without touching the ground.
So what do i do? Just keeping an eye on her or should i yell at her? I used to be able to leave her alone to go pee or whatever but now i feel as i can't leave her side without fearing that she is going to be hanging from a light fixture or the stair banister next!! I've yelled No at her and she has broken down into crying fit but then does it allllll over again!!! Help mom's!!!
My son was a climber at that age. There was nothing that I was able to do about it. Just babyproof-up high too. I didn't think about doing the top cabinets in the kitchen until he climbed up on the counter one day and got the kids vitamins out of the cabinet and started to eat them!
Hi. I am a mom of 6. I have a climber/slide in the family room.(it has a tunnel at the bottom, a few rungs to climb, a small platform, and the slide) You can also take it outside or move it anywhere to keep an eye on your daughter. It is not too big, but gives her something to play on, and you can teach her that furniture is not a jungle gym. Go to a garage sale this weekend(get there early), and you will find what I am talking about, and probably only pay a few dollars for it.
I do have a crazy climber! Across the couch, flipping over the side, standing on the dining room table, grabbing at the chandelier, etc...It definitely does take a lot of watching like a hawk and it takes a toll on your patience! However, it's best to be consistent at this age and repeatedly explain the rules and eventually they will get it. The stern voice suggestion is great. I'm not a fan of yelling, but you do want them to take you seriously. Around 18 months I started the "naughty corner" where I make him stand for 10 seconds when he does something bad--ex. running on the kitchen table. I also explain to him every time why he's there. It can be very difficult at times and it's more work for the parents, but it's best to be consistent and firm so the kids learn what is right vs. wrong. Good luck!
I agree with the previous post. Excellent! I would also add, allow natural consequences when appropriate. Natural consequences will instill the idea that "no, this is not safe." Of course, don't intentionally let your little one get hurt. For example, if she is climbing and falls down and cries, don't immediately console her. Make sure she is fine and then explain why that was unsafe. I use this technique in my job as a behavioral therapist. It does work. Good luck to you and your adventurous girl!
I feel for you! (I have a climber too!) I suggest getting a Little Tykes playground or slide and letting your little one go to town on it several times a day. Also, read "Positive Discipline" by Jane Nelsen. I think yelling at a 13 month old is futile. I think that at their level of development the more effective method is diversion or distraction. Your child' natural instinct is to explore their environment. Yes, you will have to white knuckle it for awhile, and just supervise to make sure it is safe, or use the diversion tactics expained in the book. :)
I don't know how much help I will be as my kids weren't climbers to that degree, but I wonder if you keep telling her "no, you aren't allowed to climb there" and redirecting her to another activity if that would help. It won't happen overnight, and you'll have to keep a close eye on her in the meantime. I don't think I would yell at her, though. It may be that she likes the reaction from you. A calm, stern voice may be more effective. Do you have a room that you can remove the furniture from, put up a baby gate (they make tall ones with verticle slats that aren't easy to climb) and only put toys in there? We did that for my kids and I felt safe keeping them there while I used the bathroom, cooked dinner, etc. Good luck!
D.,
I was given the best advice my a woman one day and she told me don't let anyone take away my son's joy. He is very active and outgoing and brings pleasure to everyone. You duaghter seems very happy and energetic. Let her continue to be that way. When she is doing something "dangerous" tell her she can get hurt and redirect her somewhere else. Telling her no to everything takes the fun out of being a kid. Enjoy her at this stage because time flies.
Have fun with her,
Shant'e
my daughter was a climber as well, but we kept her contained in one room. we had one of those superyard gates in our living room and put it so it went around the couch, so she had access to the couch and a pretty big area to play, and then I didn't have to worry about what trouble she was getting into if I left the room. as she got older, we made the space larger by buying baby gates to keep her away from the kitchen, dining room and stairs.
I like the idea of putting a small climber/slide in the house... you can find them on craigslist for pretty cheap!
another thing I did when my daughter started climbing out of the crib, was put her to bed in pants that weren't very stretchy, so she couldn't get her leg up. you didn't mention a problem with this yet, but if she's a climber, I'm sure it's coming! haha!
good luck!
