She is at the stage right now where she is into everything. She either wants to be attached to me at the hip at the most inopportune moment or she is trying to pull the safety outlet plugs out of the wall, or tearing up books and magazines or video covers, or, she is picking up dust bunnies and eating them, etc.......... I give attention but how do you draw boundaries with a child this age? (17 months) Right now as I am typing this, she is pulling on my arm and crying wanting me to pick her up. I have such a headache.

By Eve on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - 05:30 pm:

Aggh yes, I remember that age. For us, it was 18 months. Nightmare city. I called Melanie (She has 3 children and I noticed how they responded to her and I was curious to know what she was doing!) and she recommended a wonderful book called "Love and Logic: Magic for Early Childhood." It wasn't written in stone in our house, but it had some really wonderful ideas that Sydney responded to like a charm. I have her on video, she would be doing something bad and I would say "Oh, dear." just as calm as could be and she would immediately stop the bad behavior. It takes some work, but if you are looking for something new, I highly recommend it for this age group. I'm already starting some of it on Mason, who just turned 9 months. I even hear my DD, Syd use some of the phrases on him. She's started saying "Bumpety-bump." when he falls. It's very cute! Good luck--I know it's a challenge. I hope you find something that works!

And....what's up with the dist bunnies!? Mason finds them everywhere. I try to clean, really!LOL

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - 08:10 pm:

Thanks for the advice!!! I'll give it a try.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - 09:40 pm:

There was a toddler at Culver's tonight, maybe 18 months to two. I'm not sure. He was running away from his mom. He ran across the lobby, then turned and ran behind the counter. Mom yelled, "Connor!" and ran right after him. She was so embarrassed. I just laughed, because I remember the chase game, with both of mine, when they were about his age!

Connor apparently thought it was great fun, too. He was smiling, as he ran, as I remember mine doing, too.

When mine were naughty, I think I mostly tried redirection and tried to get them interested in something else.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - 10:49 pm:

Oh boy,I can so relate!!! My guys are everywhere and are very busy these days also.I do alot of redireting.I've had to give myself a time-out this week for myself.My DD was never like this.It's all new to me.I wish I could offer some suggestions.Just support (((HUGS)))