It only takes two minutes
What Kathrynne can do in less than two minutes...
I think we are going to install those hand-dandy child-proof cupboard locks. Kathrynne's current fascination is not only opening the cupboards and pulling everything out of them, once she pulls everything out, she get inside of the cupboards and tries to shut the door! My mom finds this very amusing because this was one of my favorite things to do as a child. That and pull all of the toilet paper off of the roll -- another one of Kathrynne's delights. We are working on training her not to do this, but training doesn't happen overnight, as I'm sure all of you parents know. We are just beginning to learn what the word "consistency" is really all about!
I think we are going to install those hand-dandy child-proof cupboard locks. Kathrynne's current fascination is not only opening the cupboards and pulling everything out of them, once she pulls everything out, she get inside of the cupboards and tries to shut the door! My mom finds this very amusing because this was one of my favorite things to do as a child. That and pull all of the toilet paper off of the roll -- another one of Kathrynne's delights. We are working on training her not to do this, but training doesn't happen overnight, as I'm sure all of you parents know. We are just beginning to learn what the word "consistency" is really all about!
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:24 PM
19 Comments:
:) My mother was just telling me yesterday that "the only toys you ever need for little ones are pots, pans, big spoons, and boxes." How fun is that-
Glad to see she gets into things too!!! = )
I only put locks on the cupboards where they can hurt themselves usually if they get into it. That way I can teach them not to so when I go to someone elses house they do not get into it too! "sigh" It is a long lesson to teach!!!
They like this better than toys!!
Crystal~
You may want to check out this website. Raising Godly Tomatoes....www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com
The idea is you keep your child with you at all times and train them.
I would check them out soon and look at the articles on the left side.
She also has a message board I belong to. It is only by invitation you are allowed in. Let me know if you want in and I will let the owner know.
HOlly
George has figured out the child-proof locks. Good luck.
George's favorite thing is to pull out all the kleenex. Pulling out all my pots and pans is a close second. :)
i like what MM said :) i would love to simply go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of cheap containers, spoons, etc. and have them strategically placed in the kitchen for reagan! i really would just as soon he play with these things rather than toys that are supposed to make kids smart - i think those toys do nothing except contribute to ADD and a parents' headache! :)
How hysterical! Glad to see my boy was not the only one :-). I will say, my son NEVER EVER opens my kitchen drawers at home but last Thursday we went to visit an older couple from our church and sure enough, he went right into her kitchen and opened EVERY drawer! He then started stacking Tupperware bowls! I was mortified. Pleading that "he NEVER does this at home" was met with rolling eyes with the "uh uh... sure he doesn't" look. Sigh...Be sure, this too will pass and soon your makeup case or your underwear basket will be the next item of interest for Miss Kathrynne. (Been there; blushed about that...)
That looks just like some pics of her mommy several years ago! :) Too bad you don't have a cat, Crystal, because then she could get into the cat food several times a day like YOU used to do! :)
Holly,
I have been wanting to join that message board for yonks. I did not know that it was invitation only. Would you be so kind as to pass my interest along also? Thank you.
;) Brigette (who is my older sister, for those who may not know why she knows my inside secrets - like being notorious for eating cat food as a child!!) -- I can still remember how cat food tastes. :) Honestly, I think YOU made the messes and then ran out of the room before mom came in so then it looked like it was all my fault!!
By the way, I hear you can speak Mandarin pretty fluently now -- everyone was impressed when I talked to them yesterday. ;) They said it sounded like hissing and weird noises.
Carrie,
I just give George the tupper ware. It only takes a minute to clean, if I need them. He spends hours stacking the tupper ware and organizing them. I am thinking of getting his own set for Christmas.
-Zan
Awww, now that's just cute! :)
My mom always let the babies play in the pan cupboard. All the other cupboards were off limit.
We were allowed to play in the tupperware cupboard! I have pictures of my sister (who is 23 and a nurse now) in there!
Pretty funny what older sisters can remember! = )
Crystal,
Your princess is adorable. I have pictures of my first doing these types of things. He was very, very high energy (still is)! He's always been curious about everything!
This is just my opinion from my own experience. I wouldn't put on any locks, except where there would be danger involved such as cleaners or medicines, etc. If your "baby" is old enough to know how to get in the cabinets, she's old enough to learn to stay out of them. :) I have a friend who visits occasionally with her 16 month old baby. She allows him to open my cabinets but not touch anything inside. This makes no sense to me and I feel it is just rude to assume that it's o.k. to open anyone's cabinets!
Sometimes I think first born children are allowed to make more messes because mommies have more time to clean them up when there is just one child in the family. Imagine for a second that you have 3 under age 4....there would be no time to be cleaning up big messes.
Take the time to train! You'll be glad you did! And so will all of your friends, relatives and associates! (But be ready for them to tell you just how easy of a baby you have! :) Just smile.)
Just my two cents worth.
Bessie
Awe what a fun picture! :) My youngest brother loved my mum's cupboard that had all our flour and baking things in it....that was fun to clean up.
Wow! Brigette speaks Mandarin??!! I'd sure like to hear her. =)
Trust me, it won't sound like "hissing and weird noises" once you know the language
That is funny that she likes to get in the cupboards and close the doors! Looks like good fun! The rolling out of the TP though could be a real mess to clean up. :/
~Jaclynn
Your picture brings back many fond memories. My son used to love to empty my spice cabinet and play with the containers. I miss those days! I vote for having locks on the cabinet. There's been a lot of research done on the connection between a child's development and his/her environment. In essence, the best environment for children (and the one in which they progress the most) is one in which there are few "no's" and they are given the freedom to explore. It's much better to use locks and to childproof, than constantly needing to say "No, don't touch this. No, don't touch that." When there are few "no's," it's much easier to enforce them and I think "no" holds much more meaning. If every time a child turns around they are disciplined for touching things, the "no" loses its impact and the child begins to hold back from exploring, which is how they learn at that stage. For our son, we followed this approach and had no problem when we went to other people's homes. Because we rarely said no, when we did, he knew we meant it. When we visited others, all we needed to do was explain to him not to touch things and he left them alone. (Before someone responds that I am promoting permissiveness, let me explain. We have firm rules that we expect our son to follow and we do expend great effort in training him. I'm not saying not to train. What I am saying is that infants need room and space to explore. Their environment should be like an open book to them. By using locks on the cabinets, they are free to explore without being stifled by continual "no's'." It's similar to my reading a book and someone constantly saying, "No, don't read that page. No, don't read this page." I'd soon tire of reading. It's the same with infants who are learning and developing.)
I totally agree, Dawn. I figured this out with my son. I am very strict with him but I do give him space. Some parents go way overboard with the "no's". I started saying no all the time when he started becoming mobil but then I realized that it wasn't really having any effect. Now the only off limit places are the wood stove, stairs and bathroom. He understands perfectly and stays away. That is cool that somebody else does the same thing. I am also very strict about dinner and eating vegetables. That is one battle I am losing:(
-Zan
Zan,
I don't know if you'll find it helpful, but my
sister-in-law, who is a nutritionist, gave me a book when I was pregnant entitled, "Child of Mine, Feeding with Love and Good Sense." The basic premise in the book is a division of responsibilities in eating. She asserts that we, as parents, decide what, where and when our children eat and they decide if and how much. In other words, she recommends that we serve healthy foods at set times and then completely leave the rest up to the child. She's done a lot of research to back up her suggestions. What she has found through her research is that when all of the pressure to eat is taken off of children, they will turn into much better eaters. Although my husband and I don't follow everything in her book to the letter, we do follow the "division of responsibilites" concept and have had great results with it and our three year old son. Another book that has been extremely helpful for us has been the children's book, "Eat Healthy, Feel Great," by Dr. William Sears. We've been reading it to our son since he was an infant and he's become quite the expert on healthy vs. unhealthy food.
Hope this helps! :-)
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