Toddler discipline - help!

[Liz]

Is it possible to negotiate a certain area to be baby proofed? This worked perfectly for us. We gated off one room and it was completely babyproof (playpen around the tv/dvd) no power cords or power points accessible, and only a couple of lounges and toys in there.

Then you kind of have the best of both worlds.. a place you can feel assured they're 'safe' but you also have the rest of the house for the 'teaching' opportunities.

Admittedly our kidsafe zone was a room that was overlooked by the kitchen, so it really was perfect for us, coz I could get things done in the kitchen while DS played in the gated off room. I'll be getting the gate out again shortly for DD coz the xbox and DVD player in the main loungeroom is starting to get too tempting! LOL.

But yeah, perhaps look for a certain area and ask if you can at least baby proof that part of the house, as it's a bit mean having to lock them in bouncers and playpens when you need to get stuff done.

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

I've been telling DD not to touch the TV buttons for 3 months lol. She totally understands, she just doesn't care. I can't scare her by raising my voice, sometimes I startle her if she's not expecting it but that's it. We've already got the playpen around the heater so I can't do that. I don't know what to do!

[paradise lost]

I've been telling DD not to touch the TV buttons for 3 months lol. She totally understands, she just doesn't care. I can't scare her by raising my voice, sometimes I startle her if she's not expecting it but that's it. We've already got the playpen around the heater so I can't do that. I don't know what to do!

My DD knows and doesn't care too hun I think to my DD i am a consultant with interesting ideas, NOT a parent with important rules. My dad says i've been using him as a consultant since i was 18months too so it's probably just one of those things. My DD can READ "no", let alone understand the spoken word, and she STILL doesn't care! LOL.

I KNOW i grew into a conscientious girl, and i think some of what will happen (i.e. our kids ignoring us and suffering for it) NEEDS to happen, so that they realise mummy isn't joking or being mean, but trying to keep them safe. I have certainly seen DD ignore me on something only to hurt herself and even if it's graceless, i ALWAYS say "That's why i told you not to!" when i go to comfort her. SHe's very resilient. I'm apparently over-protective, but i think i am gradually relaxing as she is finding some common sense!

Bx

[Kazbah]

Nee - I'm not sure how old you are, but could it be that DVDs, set-top-boxes and light TVs weren't around when you were a bub? I know that TVs were heavy things and VCRs hadn't even been invented when I was a bub!

If they don't want to totally baby-proof the area, you can get some playpens with extenders which will make a very large (2.5x2.5m approx) square which can just fit inside a room, even around sofas etc. Thats what we do - we're renovating and Pip is also like your DD in that "no" means "give mum a cheeky grin and do it anyhows".

Maybe, can you get your mum or dad onto their knees and have a look around from your DD's level? And see what's there?

Good luck.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Good point, Kaz! Our TV had knobs and dials, not buttons...and they don't make things like they used to, either - everything is SUPPOSED to break and make you buy a replacement!
I guess I never actually used the word 'no' with DS as a little baby getting into things, I would use distraction instead. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that now the word 'no' has a lot of power when I do need to use it. It was good training for me, too, because I automatically use other words in normal situations and it's no effort for me to avoid hearing myself say 'no' over and over again. That's just me, lots of people like to say 'no' for various reasons and best of luck to them with it.
For the oven and near the heater, we use 'hot' and now 'ouch, hot' - very effective because he knows what it feels for something to be 'hot' and wants to avoid it very much! For going outside with no shoes on in winter I just say the spanish word for 'cold' and 'feet' and now that he notices temperatures more explicitly, he'll come in from the cold telling me his feet are cold - far more instructive than saying 'no, not outside'. I know people who just use 'no' and expect that parental authority needs to be learnt by kids respecting that 'no'. That's underestimating everyone.
Nee - what can you do? Put the case more strongly to your parents. Do they want their TV intact AND granddaughter? Or do they want both of them to be an example to other grandparents for what NOT to do? It's your daughter's safety you're wanting, not your parents' approval and family 'harmony' that comes at the price of your daughter's compromised safety.