Sorry I know it is probably spoken about lots -- if there has been activity please would you point me in the direction of the thread...thanks. I have 2 elder children which I am trying to discipline into doing some work now that they are a little older and that the autonomy we have been using up till now was great but they need to focus a little more on handwriting and other sitting down things....and can't be pre-schoolers all their life - BUT.... my toddler (15 months) is in to EVERYTHING! I know this is good, but when I turn around and he has managed to push a chair to climb on the table....its not good as he doesn't recall where the edges are etc. He will eat all and sundry and put in his mouth (unless its fruit or vegetables) and if left to his own devices will trash a room completely in less than 1 hour. I do have him in the high chair with us and sometimes he does scribbling, or books or stuff in his tray (sand / water / foam / macaroni moving etc.) and he does stay well but I can't expect him to sit forever. My second child also has issues if I spend any time with her sister and will not respect the need for quiet times and makes noise for noises sake sometimes.... I ask her not to speak, give her tasks which are within her capability but she constantly interupts...often with meaningless drivel (to me - deadly important to her) but it is all about the interuption.... I am pregnant with #4 and at the moment I am sick sick sick and moving through a day is just hard enough..... Please tell me there is a thread about this where I can look through for ideas of how to keep little one confied....and occupied and deal with the second childs issues .... Thanks in anticipation - having a drowining type of wobble as I feel the only way to deal with her is to put her in school....ahhhh. I think I am just a little anxious too about things. SS
Breathe very important. At the age of 15 months your child sounds perfectly normal. Yes its a tedious age but normal. Its ok it WILL pass. Consistency is key to breaking the climbing and eating everything habit. You didn't mention the ages of your other two kids. Do they play well together? Do you have an area or room in your home that can become essentially a large playpen? I totally recommend corralling kids to one or two safe rooms with a couch so you can put your feet up and direct 'traffic'. Have easy made snacks ahead of time so it takes the pressure off during the day. Dry erase boards or small chalk boards (not my fav due to dust) are great to keep kids entertained with practicing writing and you can get both in small sizes at Walmart. Blocks keep kids busy too. Line them up and teach them Simon says or eye spy with my little eye. I am sure it isn't easy with three little ones. But it will get easier Sorry I didn't know of another thread.
Does the baby nap? I do school with my 4 yo for an hour while my 2 yo naps. Then send the older up for a nap or quiet time in his room so I get a little break too. As far as the climbing and stuff I would simply discipline for behavior I did not want to see continue. Same for the other daughter who is disruptive. It will take alot of consistency but it won't take that long if you stick with it. Another thought. The baby is at an age where he needs to be taught to play. I suggest taking some time and just playing blocks with him or even show him some really simple puzzles. Also have the older ones help "teach" him. In the next few months he will learn more to play on his own but it will help if he's taught.
Once, when I was drowning in the mess created when you have newborn-thru-teen in your house, my grandmothers advice to me was, "get through it". That's all? that's the best you can do? Thanks Grandma! I haven't slept, the toddler is on "high" all day long, and the puberty hormones are insane,every one needs me at the exact same time, and I just have to get through it? Yep. This will all be gone in the blink of an eye. In the meantime, don't expect to get done everything you think you have to get done. In time, the olders will learn independence,freeing you up some. I didn't catch the ages of your olders, but it won't hurt them to learn some patience. With the second one,it sounds more like a discipline issue more than anything, the toddler, well that's just going to take some training and consistency. Please just keep in mind that it won't always be like this. It goes so fast!! They get much easier as they get older. Just get through this.
I've dealt with some of the same things although my toddler is now 3. When she was that age I used two play yards (Summer Infant Secure Play Yards) put together which gave her a large play area. This area was babyproofed and the sides of the play yard were high enough so she couldn't get out. I put this in the room where we had school. As she grew I opened up the play yard and used it to block off some areas. Eventually it went away entirely. It isn't cheap, but I was able to resell them for 75% of what I paid. Also, for periods of fussiness I was able to put my baby in an Ergo carrier and continue school. She was happy to be "held" and we were able to get things done. As for the noise issue I've taken the stance that my children need to learn how to concentrate with noise and activity going on around them. Maybe your younger daughter is jealous of the time you spend with the older daughter? Have you tried spending some focused time with just her during your school day?
I agree with teaching your youngest one to play by himself. Let him play nearby, if you have the space, so you can keep an eye on him, and he can know that mommy hasnt disappeared. In the beginning you'd be very hands on with him, but slowly, you move away, bit by bit, and he should learn to play by himself... And yes, like others said, it will get better. Deep deep breaths, and patience.... Hug! PS: If you have space outside, can you sit outside with the kids while the little one explores the backyard?
