Toddler climbing on everything

[FateFellShortThisTime]

Our youngest turns 2 in Feb and he climbs on everything. We have two older kids and eldest never was a climber but middle was but not to this extent. She'd climb something once or twice and then be bored and never anything dangerous.

This one though, as soon as my back is turned climbs up onto the dining table or onto the back of the sofa to swing off the curtains.

My main concern is him falling and seriously injuring himself. Some people say just let him climb and he'll learn what's safe and what's not but I keep thinking he's going to fall on his head or break his neck. He does tend to just walk straight off things, he doesn't attempt to climb down. I can't seriously just let him walk off the dining table can I? And call it a lesson.

Were your kids climbers and what's the chance he will seriously injure himself doing all this? Am I being overly cautious? I feel like the table is a big no but should I let him fall/walk off the sofa? We have wooden floors but have put down a padded rug.

Mine were both climbers.

Both danced on the dining table a lot when tiny, tbh I just ignored it and they got over it. My 2yo climbed on top of her wardrobe too.

I taught them how to get off things safely, turn around and go down slowly.

There are limited options, you can try and lock them in a confined area or just let them get on with it. Mine were pushing chairs/ building towers to climb up things at 18months so I never bothered trying to trap them as it wouldn't have worked.

Neither ever injured themselves more than a bruise and it calmed down a lot by 2.5/ 3years in the house. Both still big climbers outside though.

One of mine was a climber, up book cases, onto of play kitchen, even up the trellis to get over a 6ft fence! No major accidents, she grew out of it although is still very adventurous at 11 and often gets stuck up trees! Make sure furniture it attached to walls, you could put cushioned corners on tables etc but it's unlikely they'll be seriously injured in the home if you're well prepared

Both of my boys are major climbers!!

We have concrete floors. There’s literally no give. And a very tall winder staircase with a near 3 story gallery. Climbing is non negotiable in our house because he literally could die or crack his head open.

A very firm shouting at isn’t most people’s preferred parenting style. But we had to do it. And subsequently he doesn’t climb.

Your house sounds stunning!

It has to be done sometimes, and usually you only have to do it once or twice. But it works and it's worth it to prevent a cracked head!!!!

My friends child is a cat-like climber. They live in a barn conversion with flagstones and to add to that on their farm.

I spend a lot of time clenched. They just let him roll with it. Having unclenched from time to time he does have incredible balance, and seems to unpickle himself to dismount.