Dealing with dangerous toddler behaviour

**Lilacgirl** · 19-07-2012, 05:10am

DD (nearly 2.5) is becoming a real little monkey. She has taken to doing things like taking her arms out of the straps in the car seat and climbing on top of anything she can.
She thinks it's funny to be told off and doesn't respond particularly to time outs.

I am generally not in favour of physical punishment (having been smacked and more myself as a child), but is a small tap on the hand a good/bad idea? I don't think I'd feel comfortable using that on a regular basis anyway though.

I'd really appreciate any ideas as all the methods I employed with DS aren't working with her, and I am genuinely worried she is going to do herself a serious injury. She puts chairs on top of sofas and climbs up and stands on them, she has worked out how to undo the child locks on the car and open the door!!
Obviously I am being as vigilant as I can but I can't watch her every single second.

Thanks. xx

**Bluebabe75** · 19-07-2012, 06:15am

Em can be very similar and I am not sure what to do either. She also gets her arms out of the straps in the car and tried to climb out of the buggy (while strapped in) on the bus the other day. She has opened the car door a few times - once at 50mph but she can't do it when the child locks are on. She will also run into the road - she thinks it is funny not to hold my hand

She also puts her little chairs on tables / dining room chairs and sits on them, but I caught Matthew telling her that was dangerous yesterday and she got down.

Time out doesn't really work - she laughs at me and says 'I go time out' so it doesn't seem to be a deterrent. I don't do smacking (the legacy of rubber-soled slippers as a child - not that it did me any harm in the long run) but I honestly don't think a tap on the hand would work with my Em.

We are going along the positive reinforcement route - praise for the good things (holding hands crossing round, being good in the car, going to bed nicely) and treating her more like the big girl that she is so desperate to be.

**Lilacgirl** · 19-07-2012, 07:10am

They sound very similar BB!
It's relentless isn't it?

What she does is flick the child locks over when she is getting into the car. Any switch or button is irrestistable!

I don't really want to get into physical stuff as she does this stuff all day long so isn't a great option.

Hopefully it's a "phase" for us both.

**One Sock** · 19-07-2012, 07:25am

Lucia is exactly the same. The main thing that works here us the threat of not doing something she wants to do - so no seeing her cousin or her little friend or going swimming etc if she does x y or z again. Distraction can also work, but she is fairly determined. I also have to strap her into her buggy kicking and screaming a fair bit when she keeps running off!

**Rosa** · 19-07-2012, 07:37am

I use distraction a lot as well, or when he does something dangerous (all the time!) I say a firm NO and lift him down. It doesn't do much but I feel I am being consistent!

He has a tantrum every time I say no so I do try to pick my battles.

**creamcracker** · 19-07-2012, 08:05am

I've just read some of this thread to DH because we are going through very similar with B. Climbing, running and most annoying, not listening to a word we say!
She also volunteers herself for time out!

I'll be watching this thread for ideas. Good to know its not just our B though!

**Faith** · 19-07-2012, 08:34am

I did have to watch mine every minute

She was always in the same room as me, I never ever left her unattended. Punishment never worked, but I did use positive reinforcement.

The good news is she started to grow out of it about 3.5. Well I say grow out of it, I think it more we found ways to channel it. She started gymnastics at 2 so she could at least do it in a safe environment, but now she's constantly doing handstands. Still, safer than the uncontrolled stuff she did before.

**donna-j** · 19-07-2012, 08:42am

I used a large Ikea bag clip over the car seat straps.

**Lilacgirl** · 19-07-2012, 09:58am

[QUOTE=Faith;3422989]I did have to watch mine every minute

She was always in the same room as me, I never ever left her unattended. QUOTE]

I am very attentive, but we have an open plan rental (I'm in Australia) with no doors between the kitchen, study, living room, play area and halls. If I am cooking tea I can't strap her down I'm afraid!
I also have a shower when she's awake early and she can get out the door no problem and even if she is in with me she just climbs up on the toilet seat or something!

Glad it's not just mine anyway. She's adorable but definitely a little monkey.

**hobgoblin13** · 19-07-2012, 10:41am

I have one of these

She will frequently tell me, in a very dramatic voice, that something is "dangeroooouuuus" so she / I / her sister / the man on the other side of the road ("Who is that man mummy, you know that man?") must NOT do it because they might die / go to hospital / not get pudding. But does that stop her?!

However, at 4 and a half her big sister (who CAN be incredibly sensible) seems to revert to behaving in exactly the same way when they are both together and in a silly mood. These are the times I'd quite like to find a quiet corner and cry as they just won't listen!