monkey baby...

My DD decided about 2 weeks ago that she is going to be a monkey or tree climber whatever you want to call it. I leave her alone for 2 seconds and she has climbed onto something. Example: We went to a friends house last week, me and my friends were outside when one of her older kids ran out to tell us that Paige was on the coffee table, we went inside to find her sitting on it so we moved it away from everything then watched her and realized she didn't need anything to climb up into it... We had to move it. The next day she climbed onto the kitchen table, then tried to get on the bench. It's anything and everything, she just has to sit on everything that isn't the floor.
So my question to all you mums who have/had a child like this... HOW DO I STOP IT? She is 1 today so a bit too young to understand that it is dangerous getting up on the dinner table any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Ellie

Happy birthday to Paige. mmmm the monkey syndrome - very difficult. Will is like that too, i have hidden the smaller chairs of Oscar's that he was using to climb onto tables/sinks with but it still hasn't solved the sofa climbing and he really will find anything to stand on to give him a leg up - even funny shaped smaller toys. I keep taking him down from where he gets ups to but then he just thinks it's a game. very awkward age to do much imo - i just end up watching him like a hawk and not leaving alone.
probably doesn't help you though

Julie x

Angus was a climber and it frightened me no end!

He'd run about on the table and even pull out the kitchen drawers so that he could climb onto the bench. The only way I think I got him past it was to remove everything off the bench and table so that it was boring for him once he got up there as there was nothing to play with. Even the plugs in the sink were fun to him

Yep, Jack was (is) the same too. I didn't find a way to stop it, just remove things where possible and watch. Good luck with it!!

Happy birthday to Paige - Tom turned 1 on Tuesday!

Thank-you for the replies and happy birthdays. I guess I'm just going to have to watch her like a hawk. It can difficult at times.. like when the toilet is calling:P

MelanieR - Happy (late) 1st birthday for Tom

Happy Birthday Paige.... My bub has started to climb aswell it drives you crazy.

Riley has just started climbing we keep finding him on the dining room table!! i thought it must be a boy thing cause his sisters never climbed anything but obviously I just was lucky with them!!

I have a monkey too. Always covered in bumps & bruises from 6 months old. She was on the low coffe table & crawling at 6 months & was on the lounge by 7 months. She is 2 now & has had 3 black eyes a few fat lips & put a big gash in her forhead. On top of all the bruises every where else. I still need to constantly watch her coz she has a 5yo sister to show her how to do these things. She still gets up on the back of the lounges - 1 in front of a window & one with nothing behind it. She hasn't gone out the window yet, but she's come off the other one a few times.
Just so you know they never learn. Alot of people say they'll only do it once. Believe me, once the pain is gone they will give it another go! At least Bri is now a pretty tough kid. She only cries if it really hurts & I know when to tell her she's ok & to go play & when to give her a cuddle.
Dare devils. They scare the crap out of you, but you'll get used to it. Kinda. Just hope she doesn't hurt herself too much! Good luck.

Have you got a play gym that your little one can climb on? Put some soft cushions around the bottom of it just incase.

When she climbs on the table, tll her that tables are not for climbing on and then direct her to her playgym. Positive redirection is a very effective way of gentle behaviour guidance. Even though she is only one, children can understand alot more than you may think! I used this alot when working with babies in child care Toddler LOVE sitting on the tables)

If you just keep repeating this technique I guarantee it will work .... eventually (however you might be old and grey heheheh)

HTH
Jen