What is normal behaviour for a 20 month old? DD driving us demented.

[catweazle]

I don't remember what my others were like at this age (it was a long time ago )

DD spends her whole time pulling my books out of the bookcase and ripping them; plugging and unplugging things into the socket on the landing; attacking my computer; climbing on her toybox to get to the drawers and pulling everything out; climbing on her toys to turn the lights on and off; turning off the TV and the DVD player; throwing stuff on the floor. Yesterday she threw some plates and smashed them.

She has got 2 toy-boxes full of lovely toys which she isn't even looking at ATM. I don't ignore her when she is being good either (made that mistake with her sister ) and I will sit on the floor with her and play/ read to her.

I'm finding the constant removing her from this and that all evening really draining after a full day at work

Sounds like my 20 month old DD. She delights in testing and stands by the blank wall with the crayon whilst I say Nooooo. Looks at me with a "you dont really mean it do you" look on her face and then proceeds to scribble.

Put the toys in a cupboard and let her think she's not supposed to have them. Cue hours of peace

Some are like this and some are not.

We only needed cupboard locks for some of ours who would pull everything out of a cupboard in 10secs flat(or seemed like it).
We never kept any books we really valued on the bottom shelves and eventually moved our books out of the children's reach all together until they got past this stage. Some enjoyed 'posting' things into any slot available - top of the fire, video recorder, out of the letterbox. Putting things down the loo was another.
And yes, the turning things on and off was a firm favourite.
It's a phase. It's exhausting. It passes
The eyes in the back of your head and radar senses will get sharpened up again pretty quickly, I should think.

My 16m DD is like this. Shoes down the toilet, books off shelves, plates out of cupboards, empties all boxes, coals out of fire (fake ones, fire not on obviously!)
My older two had similar traits but don't remember them being this bad but it may be selective memory.
Its exhausting to have to constantly think what she might do next.
At least it is training DS1 & 2 to put the loo lid down! Or risk drowned shoes. Their future partners will thank me!

Oh dear. I suppose I should be thankful she's not the only one.

scootergrrrl that's sneaky

How do you think both of my chidren made it to the ages they are? Being sneaky is the only way....

My 15 mnth old is JUST like this. I thought it was normal. He also likes playing with his toys but not for long. Much rather be raind through the tuuperware cupboard or switching the dvd player on and off. I don't mind to be hones as he's happy and just wants to explore EVERYTHING! He gets quite cross if I move him away from things or take things off him so I tend to let him play with what he wants unless it's dangerous. I have books on my bottom shelves but thankfully when I say 'put it back please' he does so it doesn't matter too much.