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Parenting

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Original poster

When to start saying "no" to ds?

12 replies

OrangeKnickers · 14/04/2008 14:33

DS is 9mths....

Is it worth starting to say no now? He has a habit of grabbing and scratching faces which I'd like him to stop.

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scaryteacher · 14/04/2008 14:38

As soon as possible to get him used to it.

AuntEm · 14/04/2008 14:40

I think it is worth it - after all, pre-verbal baies can do sign language. I would try taking his hand away from the face, looking him in the eye and saying no in a serious (but not cross) voice.

Mercy · 14/04/2008 14:41

Yes, of course. Although you will probably be doing it non-stop!! I would get hold of his hand and say no, shake your head at him and say something like 'that hurts mummy' (or whoever)

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purpleturtle · 14/04/2008 14:47

Might be worth telling him what you do want him to do. It's too easy to reach a point where you feel like you're saying No all the time.

sometimes it's unavoidable - you need to say no - but I often try to use a more positive phrase. Perhaps in your case, I'd try 'Be gentle'.

Alambil · 14/04/2008 15:03

I did it from whenever he started to hurt me. Used to disentangle his hand from my hair, hold it firmly and say a firm "No"; he soon caught on to what it meant

kitbit · 14/04/2008 15:15

turning hits into pats and saying "gentle, gentle" worked for us "eventually!" and for that oh-so-exciting biting phase, turning bites into kisses.

LIZS · 14/04/2008 15:17

he won't respond for a good while yet. He isn't really responsible for his curiosity and how it manifests itself just yet. All you can do is distarct and remove him to reinforce a "no" but do use it selectively.

hecate · 14/04/2008 15:22

You start saying it as soon as they start doing things that you need to say no to. So yes, if he's scratching, it's time to introduce "no." Eye contact, a firm "no" or "No X" (X being scratching, biting, pulling, whatever it is at that time" and taking his hand and moving it, or moving him away, so he links it all up in the end. Never too early to start. I was saying "no biting" and taking ds1 off the breast for a moment from a few months. (The little begger was a chewer!!!)

Original poster

OrangeKnickers · 14/04/2008 17:59

Ok cool, I will start with some firm nos, we are doing some baby signing so will use that too.

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Again · 14/04/2008 21:24

Mine is 9.5 months and we've just started saying no. He thinks it's a great game. The more serious I am the more he laughs and tries it again

LIZS · 15/04/2008 08:19

that's the potnetial problem Again, and why tio is improtant ot be selective . It loses its impact if you have to say it constantly rather than if saved for when it is a real NO (ie in danger). Also it can be quite soul destroying as a parent to do so with relatively little effect.

ellideb · 17/04/2008 19:57

If its practical say No firmly and put him down somewhere safe.

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