16.5M DS KEEPS TURNING OFF TV/CABLE BOX AND NOTHING DETERS HIM. HELP

[MrsBigD]

Never had that problem with dd because she was to short to reach! DS however is a tall chunky monkey and delights in turning off the TV/cable box, especially when dd is watching her programme. Mind you I don't mind if they watch less TV but...

In the initial stages I tried to distract him with other things like stacking tower etc.

Next step was I just gave him a quick tap on the hand accompanied by a firm no don't do xyz and sat him in a corner in the room and walked off. No success.

ATM it's same procedure but actually putting him in his room with door open. We get a few complaining/accusing moans and that's it. Guess what... still no effect and he still pushes the buttons.

What next? Shut the door on him? That would feel a bit cruel.

Have to add, that of course dd (4) does push the buttons as she changes channels etc. so obviously ds thinks it's o.k. to do it...

Any advice and pearls of wisdom welcome.

[emily05]

Is there a remote control (or somthing with buttons) that could be his pretend cable box? (hope that makes sense)

so when he goes to push the buttons you could say "no this is yours look, your very own buttons" and make a big deal about how special it is to have his own and so on?

[LemonTart]

Can you encourage DD to use a remote control rather than the buttons? We had exactly this issue when DD1 worked out how to use the buttons and DD2 copying/switching it off. If it had been practical I would have moved the box onto a high shelf with cables hidden or used a tv cabinet with locking glass doors so remote still works.. Instead we have kept out nice wooden open unit, pushed the box right to the back so those lovely flashing buttons can?t be seen to easily, trained DD1 to use the remote and keep out of DD2?s reach.
Good luck - it is soo frustrating. We tried the naughty step, big dramatic "noooooo" with wide eyes of "horror" etc and she just found it amusing /forgot and did it again ten mins later.

[SoupDragon]

You can't stop him TBH. It's something that gets an instant reaction - picture and sound disappear, sister screams blue murder. Fake buttons just don't do it unfortuantely! Once you start saying "noooo" as soon as they approach the TV etc, it just seems to become a challenge!

Time cures it though. As does an addiction to, say, Teletubbies.

[Pfer]

MrsBigD - SNAP!!

DS2 is nearly 16months and is constantly at the TV, VCR, DVD, Sky box etc. We've had to tape the sky card in as he kept steeling it. The gentle hand tapping doesn't work either, I take him away from them, say 'no' firmly etc. I'm now just ignoring it in the vain hope he'll stop as he's getting no attention.

[SoupDragon]

DS1 used to run in whilst we were watching TV. turn the TV off and run out giggling. He'd keep doing it to the point where he was practically choking with laughter by the time he'd come in the door.

[MarsOnLife]

Had that with the DTs. Lots of ignoral. Soupy is right. They love the reaction and the results.

This too will pass.

[Katemum]

It will pass, honest, just keep up the distraction.

[Pfer]

soupy! . DS2 does that! He usually does it when DS1 is watching something though, which can cause a 'little' friction sometimes

[bobbybobbobbingalong]

Put a towel over it and hope like heck that if it's covered then it no longer exists for him. I guess it depends how well developed his theory of the mind is.

[MrsBigD]

At least I'm not alone
dd knows how to use the remote and so does ds... channel hopping galore and pump up the volume is all I say ;)