Climbing toddler. Help!

[vvviola]

DD2 (2.3yo) is turning into a climber. Latest one was climbing on to the arm of a patio chair to look over the edge of the deck (about 6foot off ground). Her sister never climbed anything, so it just didn't occur to me that she would think of doing something like that ... and I have no idea how to handle it.

Other than never letting her out of my sight again - which means no going out on the deck unless I'm out there with her (used to be a great way to occupy her for half an hour - I can see most of it from the kitchen, but there is one corner I can't see, which is where she climbed). The only place that appears to be safe seems to be a totally unfurnished room - couches, clothes horse, bookshelf, kitchen cupboards all seem to be fair game recently.

Crèche have told me she's a complete angel for them, a delicate little angel , but she's a holy terror for me. She's 'spirited' for me at the best of times (aka defiant and stubborn) but I'm working on that as best I can. But this climbing combined with total fearlessness has me terrified.

How on earth do people deal with climbers?? And other than DH's 'useful' suggestion of duct tape - how will I ever get anything done again?

I had a climber but a lot earlier - say, 16 to 20 months when I really couldn't reason with her, and yes, that was terrifying. At least at 2.3 she's not too far off learning fear. My DD's 2.9 now and seems to understand consequences much better. Hang in there! (Excuse the pun).

Another in the same boat here. Ds is 2.8 and my god he can climb. He started at 16 months and now he can scale anything in seconds.

Ive nipped to the loo ( just down the hall) and found himon top of a 9 shelf bookcase.....sitting on the top touching the ceiling. I was literally gone not much over a minute.

Regularly climbing onto the back of the sofa or window sseat and leaping off.

I have no clue how to stop it. Its physically impossible to watch him every second. I went to answe the door the other day. Right next to the front room....heard a huge thud. He'd belly flopped off his table onto the floor. ( kids table so not that high) that soon taught him a lesson I tell you.

Ive just had to set very very clear boumdaries....no climbing in the house at all. We go to the park or soft play or the woods for that.

He does not take the slightest bit of notice...but then he never does little sod

Im praying that he will start getting a bit scared of the consequences soon....that may stop him getting to such ridiculous heights....or at least stop him from jumping off of them.

Good luck!! You will meed much and counting to 10.