My daughter is 9 months, and when she gets into things she shouldn't I firmly tell her "No!" but she just turns and grins at me, then continues whatever she's doing. It's like a game to her. I have to distract her or move her from the temptation to make her stop. And she just started walking(!) so there are many more things she can get into now.
I keep telling her no, but it does no good. If I were any more firm in my tone I would be yelling. So I'm just wondering, is she old enough to understand "no" ?
2006-08-06 14:24:11 · 19 answers · asked by Elle 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Just like learning everything else, it begins from the time they are born. I remember telling my oldest daughter "no" at 7 months old when she thought it was cute to be smacking me in the face (and it hurt!). I grabbed her chubby little hand and looked her in the face and told her "NO". You have to do it and mean it, not smile back at them when they smile at you, then you are just confusing them. Of course they are cute because they are babies, but if you do that but send out other signals they will be confused. If you say it, mean it. You can only redirect for so long, but if you have a strong willed child, they might just keep going back for that electrical outlet, and then you've just got to step right in...my middle used to do that, and I had to swat her hand at around 9 months, which startled her but got her attention and she didn't try to play with the outlet after that. Don't get me wrong I believe in child proofing...but they also have to learn what is okay to get into and what is not because not everyones house is baby proof, nor should you expect it to be. Children are naturally curious so if it's nice and shiny or makes noise and catches their eye, they are on it like white on rice. She will get it eventually, don't give up. They forget what they are told and have to be constantly reminded, but that's our job, and it may get old to repeat yourself 509348059834095834098 times, but you have to. Nobody ever said raising a child would be easy, and it's the parents who give up on their children who end up with the kids that nobody can stand to be around, and that's just a shame because it's not the childs fault that their parents gave up on them. Best wishes with your daughter, I have three and they are lots of fun! ~
2006-08-07 03:48:18 · answer #1 · answered by dixi 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Knowledge of the difference between right and wrong begins at age 3. She knows what 'NO' means, she just doesn't yet care why you're saying it. Try leaving out the 'no' part, and using some positive answers, like, "That is not ok." That can also be said like, "That is NOT ok!" or "THAT IS NOT OK!" You can really belt that one out if you want, if there's a safety risk in her near future. I can't tell you for sure it will produce a dramatic change in her behavior, but hearing 'no' all the time isn't always good in the future.
And she understands a lot more words than you think she does, believe me. I never limited my use of big words, and certainly never used 'baby talk' to speak to my daughter. She is now way beyond her classmates in the use of her regular vocabulary. The last time someone assigned an essay to her, I saw what she'd written, and didn't believe her that no one had helped her with it.
Children start learning literacy at birth. They may not understand what you're saying for the first few months, but speaking around them helps them learn more quickly later in life.
2006-08-06 16:16:33 · answer #2 · answered by 42ITUS™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah! She's old enough. She's just trying you and will go as far as you let her. I have 4, and thay all have that "selective hearing". I don't know how you feel about spanking, but a mild tap on the hand should do the trick, but not at her age, maybe about 12 to 15 months and only if you feel that way about it. You are doing to right thing about saying no, and then remove her from what ever it is. You may have to repeat yourself, until your blue in the face, but it will finally sink in. If she were around other children and they were told no, and they minded, she would see by example. Just hang in there, and in time she will understand exactly what you are saying and meaning. Have patience and be firm.
2006-08-06 14:38:08 · answer #3 · answered by G.D.Bradberry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
6
2006-08-06 14:40:08 · answer #4 · answered by scotty y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.
I think a toddler really starts to understand the concept of 'no' at about 2 years old, when they keep repeating it themselves. The other aspect of it is that even if they understand, do they have the capacity to control and discipline themselves?
Most parents 'babyproof' the house when the baby starts walking and climbing. Lock cabinets with poisonous materials in them; electric plug covers; breakables out of reach; a fence over the top of the stairs. Then there are fewer things to say 'no' about, and it is a lot easier on all of you.
Is Dr Spock still in print? or some facsimili, a book about child development? I had one and consulted it all the time.
2006-08-06 14:47:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son is 1 year old , and he understands what no means just fine, half the time he doesn't listen to me, but he listens to his dad. Can I suggest putting things that you know she can get ahold of and don't want her to, up? I mean, my son will turn the t.v. off and on, which can't be helped, cause my entertainment center sits low, and he also likes to open the drawers on our computer desk. We just tell him No. Everything else like glass knickknacks and such, is put up high so that he can't reach them. At 9 months old your daughter is just starting to learn what no means and you are going to have to move her and distract her continuosly so that she can understand what no means. Eventually she will understand that she isn't suposed to touch this or that, but that don't mean she won't. Good Luck!
2006-08-06 14:35:24 · answer #6 · answered by tricksy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only say no if she is in absolute danger
distract her or say other things like stop, wait, this one, here
say no and clap at the same time if she is in danger
tehy tend to just continue what they are doing and smile till they are about 8 i think lol
but uually distracting and showing her the right way will get you a better more positive result that just by saying no
you will need to be constant with this for a few days before you see improvement
2006-08-06 15:00:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My doctor said you start at 9 months with the word "no"...it will take a while but you need to take her hand off of something if she touches it and give her the LOOK. I know it is frustrating...I started at 9 months with my son and by 10 he had No down. Hang with it and just do the best you can.
2006-08-06 15:22:03 · answer #8 · answered by Fallon V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
putting boundries to children is very difficult.I know because ı have a two year old myself.But sometimes you should be very determined but yet again firm with them. They understand everything but want to have their own way. So dont give up if its NO it means NO. let her / him cry for a moment then settle her / him and try to explain what will hapen if she /he touches the things and why you say NO. It worked with mine , I think its worth a try. Good luck. :)
2006-08-07 01:50:15 · answer #9 · answered by MORTİCİA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 months
2006-08-06 14:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋