At what age do they learn to obey 'no'?

[Hoonette]

I'd be really grateful for some advice from experienced parents.

DS is 16 months. When he's doing something he shouldn't, we tell him 'no', move him, and distract him. I can't say the 'no' is having much effect but we're hoping he'll associate it with forbidden activities at some point.

DH and I are fine with this, as our house is fully childproofed so there's not actually much for us to say 'no' to. However, I am having increasing problems with my mother, who thinks he should have learnt to obey 'no' by now. This is causing issues whenever we go to visit her, as he constantly wants to touch things he shouldn't.

Please tell me: at what age should my son have learnt to obey a 'no'? (With reference to touching plants, shelves of books etc). I was thinking perhaps when he's started talking and we can actually communicate? But maybe I'm being a bit PFB and am too soft?

[belgo]

16 months is probably way to young to expect him to understand the word 'no' and obey it.

But he will do at some point and you are doing the right thing in in keeping your house child proof until he knows how to obey.

It seems like your mother has forgotton what it's like to have small children in the house!

[SlartyBartFast]

distraction is the cure i think at that age.

[suzywong]

at the age they can quake with fear and comprehend the concept of cause and effect. So about 2.5. But then the next 2 years are spent seeing how far they can push the boundaries.

I think your mum is living in Victorian times and it is a pity she cannot see the wonder of the curiosity of the infant mind as your child tries to explore his world.

You are going to have to learn to grin and bear it or meet your mum on neutral territory like the park where she is not in ultimate control of the environment.

by the way, do you know what Hoon means in Australia?

[Hoonette]

Thanks for the replies - we'll keep doing what we're doing, then, and ignore my mother (which is always my first instinct anyway).

Suzy - I think a hoon is a drunken lout, isn't it? If so, then that's about right ;)

[SixSpotBurnet]

Agree with suzywong and others - tell your mum to move the ornaments etc!

[suzywong]

a lout, yes, but particularly a lout behind a wheel
There is also verb, to Hoon = to drive recklessly for pleasure and display. And to go for a Hoon, to take a ride for pleasure.

Are you quite sure this is the image you wish to convey .

[stitch]

71, if you are lucky

[S1ur]

Hopefully never. without consideration.

My ds stops at no though. (nearly 2). But I used it sparingly. In ornaments sits I#d be distracting rather than no'ing'.

Your mum has forgotten, that's understandable but still wrong.