Dealing with dangerous toddler behaviour

**Velvet Chain** · 19-07-2012, 10:49am

I had one of these - literally couldn't take my eye off him for a second as otherwise he would be climbing up onto the windowsill and trying to fly like a bird!!

I don't agree with physical punishment and so didn't go down that route - it was just literally stopping him every time he would try something so probably a million times a day saying "NO" and trying to distract him and keep him occupied with other things. Most things in the house got done when he was sleeping in the night, the dinner and stuff I would often put him in his high chair with crayons/paper and stuff because there was no way that I could leave him unattended.

**bluekat** · 19-07-2012, 11:36am

I smacked the back of DD1's hand a few times when she was that age and getting up to general dangerous badness (all the kinds of things described here). After the first couple of times I'd only need to hold her hand in the position, and not actually go ahead and smack her hand, for her to stop what she was doing.

Try getting someone to smack the back of your hand, it really is quite painful, even if not smacked that hard, a real short sharp shock. It does teach them if you want to go down the physical punishment road.

Funnily enough, I've never done the same with DD2. She's a naughtier child, absolutely, but tends to take a telling off to heart.

**One Sock** · 19-07-2012, 11:36am

Yes, wearing L out also helps a lot. I take her swimming three times a week and she does a gymnastics class too so something to knacker her out a bit most days. If all else fails I brave soft play with her.

**Lilacgirl** · 19-07-2012, 11:52am

Originally Posted by One Sock

Yes, wearing L out also helps a lot. I take her swimming three times a week and she does a gymnastics class too so something to knacker her out a bit most days. If all else fails I brave soft play with her.

I do this. We are out every morning at playgroups, soft plays and parks, but they are like those duracell bunnies (both of them!). She does sleep much better at night/nap time than she used to though.

The main problem is if she keeps trying to get out of her car seat. She did it today and I was on a fast road where I couldn't pull over straight away and it really frightens me. She has done it a lot and no amount of telling off or explaining is having any effect. The roads are notoriously dangerous over here (Queensland is about the worst driving in Oz too) and I just can't have her unsecured.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll carry on removing and distracting but it seems like I'm not getting anywhere fast!

**diamond301** · 19-07-2012, 01:02pm

S is exactly the same and i often say to her that shes my little duracell bunny, she can get up with me at 7am and still be going at 10pm without a nap if we let her!

Her worst habit is the non hand holding near roads, Monday however she was happy to hold my hand to school and back so i made a big fuss and gave her a kiss, she asked what the kiss was for and i told her it was for being a good girl and holding my hand, she was so pleased with herself.

I know its not an idea solution but what about a different car seat, one with the cushion across the front rather than arm straps, something like the Kiddy comfort or Guardian?

**One Sock** · 19-07-2012, 01:05pm

With our car seat I have just tightened the straps so much that they're practically cutting off circulation! Not ideal but better than her constantly getting out of them. Would that work for you?

**Miss_Jane** · 19-07-2012, 02:10pm

I read about this thing for stopping kids getting out of car seats

http://5pointplus.com/

Although not sure if it is available in Australia!

My child is the same, she climbs on everything and thinks it's funny to run off. The only punishment that seems to work with her is NO CHOCOLATE. Not that she gets chocolate that often but if I say she's not getting any for whatever reason, that seems to stop her. So then I give her a chocolate button or something if she does what I wanted her to do.