Comments on: Lock Up Your Children. And Mine.

By: Alberto

Alberto — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:06:27 +0000

Although this entry refers to security, I’ll talk about something else. This picture is fantastic. Way to go Zoot.

By: Wacky Mommy

Wacky Mommy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:26:54 +0000

Streets. Crossing streets. The need to look both ways, not just listen for traffic. The need to not cross the street until he leaves for college. (Conversations my son and I have been having for the past 4 years, since he turned 3.)

Also, no playing Superman, kid, I mean it.

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:22:09 +0000

I don’t have an adrenaline-addicted monkey myself, but one of my son’s friends at daycare is just such a kid. And at a birthday party a few weeks back, his mom was pointing out to us a long red mark on his neck–where he’d nearly hung himself, climbing up on the window sill and falling with his head & neck stuck on the windowshade cord (which was sturdily wrapped around one of those cleat-things on the wall). He couldn’t reach the cord from the floor, but once he started climbing, it was a real danger. If they hadn’t found him when they did. . .

SO, my recommendation is to make sure that cords & such are out of reach of anything Andy can climb on, not just from what he can reach from the floor.

I feel for you. Good luck!

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:10:34 +0000

Mine got out of his crib the first time at 10 months. We had to buy a contraption that was intended to keep cats out of the crib to keep him in until we were convinced he’d stay in a toddler bed. He had fallen down the stairs (all of them) at least 6 or 7 times before he was five. He had 7 stitches in his head at age six.

He is my insane child and sometimes I think that it is only by the Grace of God that he has not killed himself yet.

I have no real advise. Just an understanding of what you are going through. Hopefully your little guy will end up with the same amazing imagination and social abilities as mine has. I think that it goes along with his wild side. He is not afraid of much and I think because of that, he will be able to achieve whatever he wants to in life. I’ll take some bumps and bruises along the way for that.

By: susan

susan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:16:33 +0000

Fear any set of stairs and the sidewalk – oooooooouuuchhhhh

By: stacey

stacey — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:45:33 +0000

Have fun!! He will figure out what he can and can’t do soon enough.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:13:25 +0000

I also have the monkey child, who gives me frights nearly every hour. We got the Step2 Kangaroo Klimber (I think that’s the name?) which has foot holds on both sides, a slide and is the right size for toddlers. When we move it will go outside, but currently it’s in my dining room (while the dining room furniture is pushed to the side).

I second getting rid of the coffee table, soon they learn to push it to use as a ladder. We’ve turned our loveseat towards the wall when we have no guests, so he can’t use it to climb on either.

I would attach everything to the wall, we’re planning on doing that once we move into our new house in 2 weeks. There’s even a strap you can get to hold a TV to the wall.

By: cagey

cagey — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:28:02 +0000

Anjali is like this! She insists on me doing “underdogs” while she is swinging in the BABY SWING. Arun? FREAKS OUT. Also, this past weekend, Anju insisted on WALKING BY HERSELF in Marvel cave at Silver Dollar City. Argh.

I will be stalking these comments for ideas.

By: ladybughugs

ladybughugs — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:25:02 +0000

More trips to the playground to give him a suitable outlet for his climbing tendencies? Maybe provide something suitable for climbing? A small climb & slide thing by Step 2 or Little Tikes for inside so he has someplace to play that is relatively safe while you make dinner and take care of other household chores (I’m thinking inside because our good weather months up here in NJ would keep us from using it much and I don’t let my kids outside without an adult).

My SIL runs a daycare out of her house and every time she turns around her daughter has climbed up onto the table where they eat, do art projects, etc. She just keeps taking her off and telling her we don’t climb on tables. My kids hate being confined to a stroller or shopping cart when we were out. We have rules about parking lots and safety in stores that I’ve recited a gazillion times (parking lot rules: safety first, hold hands in the parking lot). Lil’bug is 3-1/2 and I still say it more times than not.

Just be consistent and keep repeating the rules calmly. Eventually he’ll get it and grow out of it. Every so often I need to raise my voice so they know I mean business. It usually pulls them up short to prevent an accident.

By: Texxla

Texxla — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:41:15 +0000

My daughter (now 7) was once found at age 3 scaling the kitchen cabinets in an attempt to mount the refrigerator. No kidding. She wanted to retrieve something-a cat, a ball, who knows!
Today she is still a bundle of energy, dancing, bike riding, running everywhere! But she is also more carefree and happy go lucky than my son (13) who worried about everything. He had anxiety at 5 about moving away from home for college! Where will I live? How will I eat? LOL
That adventurous spirit will serve him well in the future. In the meantime, secure ANYTHING that could fall on him (bookshelves and televisions etc to the wall!