Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Flip

Original poster

does your toddler use you beign on the phone as an excuse to go on the rampage?

21 replies

bohemianbint · 17/02/2009 22:12

DS is 2 and a half, and very "spirited". On the whole I try not to use the phone in the day but obviously there are times when it is utterly necessary. The clever little bugger darling has worked out that he has me at a disadvantage and in the space of a minute will empty his toy baskets, bounce on the sofa, throw things and generally try to cram as many things as he knows he's not allowed to do in before I get off and stop him. Quite often he will start physically kicking or hassling me and it drives me mental.

I keep it to a limit, as I say, but I can't avoid it totally and he needs to get to grips with that.

His behaviour at the moment is generally freaking awful extremely challenging and I'm really struggling to know how to deal with it. Shoudl I try again with a naughty step? I have been confiscating or witholding things, after a warning, but otherwise I don't know what to do. There's some things I can't just ignore and distraction only goes so far, he's too smart for it. Am going on a SureStart course in parenting on the offchance that it might be helpful, but it's aaaaaages off...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FAQinglovely · 17/02/2009 22:13

no - but my 5yr old and 8yr old do

cornsilk · 17/02/2009 22:14

My two are 8 and 10 and I still have to warn them not to argue/fight/wreck the house when I go to answer the phone.

Drusilla · 17/02/2009 22:15

Yes, he is nearly 4. I assumed this was normal! I find the only thing that works is bribery

Original poster

bohemianbint · 17/02/2009 22:16

Oh god. So this is my life for the next 15 years then?! He really is doing my nut at the moment.

OP posts:

techpep · 17/02/2009 22:22

Ignore, ignore, ignore dont even mention the mess when you get off the phone. I totally understand that it is easier said than done, but he will grow out of it soon as long as you dont give the attention at the wrong time (while you are on the phone). Its a lot easier to ignore if you are on your mobile as you can move away from him.

mummyhill · 17/02/2009 22:26

Try to ignore it. If it's the Triple P course they will give you some good strategies for dealing with challenging behavior.

piscesmoon · 17/02/2009 22:29

That takes me back! My DS used to empty cupboards! They do grow out of it - eventually!

bradsmissus · 17/02/2009 22:36

My DD once slathered herself in a whole bottle if sun cream while I was on the phone!!!

chipmonkey · 18/02/2009 13:29

Not so much when i am on the phone, more when I am on MN!

RubyRioja · 18/02/2009 13:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smithagain · 18/02/2009 15:01

Yes. On one memorable occasion both DDs went to the living room and played quietly while I was on the phone. Was just congratulating myself on having got the message across that I wasn't to be disturbed, when .......

all the lights went out.

DD2 aged 3 had located a real, actual screwdriver which had not been put away, decided to play builders and succeeded in unscrewing the light socket from the wall. DD1 then attempted to screw it back in and blew the fuses.

All in the space of about 2 minutes.

blinks · 18/02/2009 15:06

a trail of cheerios leading to a cage should do the trick.

Original poster

bohemianbint · 18/02/2009 18:20

Jesus Smithagain - that's scary!

OP posts:

geordieminx · 18/02/2009 18:24

ds managed to get the eggs out of the fridge this morning, and the branflakes and play "big cook little cook".... the mess had to be seen to be believed.

fruitycake · 18/02/2009 18:27

Yep, My 10 year old and 7 year old covered themselves and the cat in toothpaste last time I was on the phone. I hate talking on the phone now, I have to admit I usually ignore it rather than have to put the house back together after.

tegan · 18/02/2009 18:42

hell yes ddi (10) and dd2 (4) have the biggest loudest fights as soon as i answer the phone

KerryMumbles · 18/02/2009 18:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smithagain · 18/02/2009 19:41

Yep - was very, very scary. I am thankful to whoever invented fuses. And I don't think she'll try that one again - mummy was very shocked and quite (erm) assertive .

Couldn't help but be slightly impressed that she managed to do it, though. I blame Maria Montessori - for handing down the philosophy of teaching three year olds to use proper household tools ...... I think her nursery teacher was a bit worried I might be about to sue them, when I politely enquired whether they had been using screwdrivers in class

Original poster

bohemianbint · 18/02/2009 19:43

Sorry - I missed that she was only 3 in your first post! Blimey, that really is impressive. Must look into Montessori nurseries.

OP posts:

bracingair · 18/02/2009 19:50

what i did at that stage was make all my calls when my dcs were strapped in the car or the buggy!!

Original poster

bohemianbint · 19/02/2009 20:55

bracing - I was thinking about that today, might have to do it whilst DS is strapped into his booster seat at lunchtime...

OP posts:

Flip