How can I get a 2 yo to stay out of things?

Question

He is not my child, this is a day care so I can't hit him in anyway! Time out doesn't work. I know he knows what he is doing because he'll look to see if I am watching him. as soon as I look away he is into everything!!!! I'm getting really close to asking his mom to find someone else. I just can't bring myself to do it because I've watched him since he was4 months old. Help me please!

He is getting into things like:
the fridge (trying to drink my syrup, choco syrup, ketchup, cream...)
my computer
tries to clib onto chairs then onto the counter
my dryer
stove
For the most part I try to keep them out of kitchen, but I can't all the time. It is driving me crazy

I first worked at a daycare (for 3 years before the center closed) now I own my own. I have, right now 6kids including my own 2. It has been getting worse for months. I've tried talking to his parents about it but they haven't been any help, they smack his hand at home, I can't do that, that is usually the first thing people tell me to do, but I can't/won't do it.
I do not have this problem repetitively with any other child. Yes occasionally all children get in to things, but after a few times they get the point and move on. He won't. I have tried putting him in a baby bed for the alotted 2 min each time, but he now can climb out. If Iput him in a chair he climbs out. If I hold him on my lap I am then neglecting the other children... what else can I do? I am looking for creative suggestions.

Answer 1

You can't unless its locked up. Two years are very inquisitive. Child proof. Put locks on cupboards and drawers and in outlets and save yourself some sanity. Also offering toys that can be opened or unlocked may busy the same part of their mind.

Answer 2

It must be hard, I commend you for helping other families to work, while you watch their children. I have needed to have a daycare provider in the past, and in home care is what I prefer, although I am sure it is hard on you to have your home so open.

My thoughts - When you talk to his parents do they say he does similar actions at home? or is he just doing this at your house? Maybe since you have watched him for so long, he is jealous of another new child? Maybe you can set some time where you are reading stories or something, and let him sit on your lap to give him attention. Does he have a new sibling at home, or big changes?

Is there a way for you to have one room where the kids stay and play for the majority of the time?

What do you do for time out? You may want to look into - if your don't already - a little chair, in the corner. You want to make it so that they are not able to interact with anyone, or see anything. The next challenge of course is to keep him in the chair. This is hard. If he gets up you need to keep putting him back. It will be a rough day. Ask his parents to institute a similar punishment at their house. Consistency helps.

I hope that these ideas help. Good Luck

Answer 3

You need to find a way to give him positive reinforcement when he does well. This may sound difficult, but there must be something he likes to do. What ever that thing is, only allow him to do or play with that thing, when he is behaving. Try putting a child gate in your kitchen doorway so that he can't get into your fridge. Relocate your computer to a room that is closed off from areas of free play. Put child locks on your fridge.
http://www.childsafetystore.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/233/Fridge%20Guard%20by%20Parent%20Unit
http://www.child.com/child/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/child/story/data/safe_kitchen.xml&catref=chd87
He is a toddler and they do get into everything the possibly can. I know mine and the others I've cared for did the same thing. They didn't make fridge locks back then. If they had, I would have certainly used them. Check out the links above. There are lots of helpful tips for childproofing your home. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Put him on time out. Don't let him interact with any other kids or any toys. Just put him on a chair (if you can in a room away from the kids, alone) for 2 minutes. If he gets up and tries to get away, put him back on the chair and restart the punishment. Keep doing this, make shure to tell him these things:
1) that he's in time out
2) Why he's in time out

If his behavior is still bad after a week of this punishment then tell him your going to call his mommy and tell him what he's doing. Then if he continues, go call! If he doesn't get into anything for a week, reward him! Give him a peice of candy or a toy and tell him why he's getting it. This will have to work.

Answer 5

i am having the same problem with my son, and he is 2 years old as well.
i recently gave up on the kitchen situation, i put up a gate to keep him out(we can not put latches on our cupboards unless we screw them in, so it is easier to put a gate up). he used to pull everything out of the cupboards, the fridge, drawers, etc. if you can, put a gate up for the kitchen.
try and teach him what "no" means. you must get down on the floor, eye to eye with him and tell him "no" in a stern, but not cruel voice. tell him exactly what he is doing wrong in a language that he would understand. i.e.,"no, "insert child's name here" we don't play on the computer. it is NOT a toy."
try and move chairs, ottomans, stools, anything he can use to climb up out of the area. he can get really hurt from a fall, and he obviously doesn't know that.
also, tell his mother what he is doing. ask her what she does at home. if she is having the same problem, maybe it is best if you both give each other suggestions on what to do. ask her if she thinks a firm(not abusive!) spanking is ok, on the butt only. or a tap on the hands if he is grabbing things. you will need a back-up when "no" isn't cutting it. also ask her if a paddle would be ok.
i know some people think that is cruel, but if she is ok with it, i would suggest it. sometimes it does work to warn a child with an object like the paddle, if they are acting up--i know it worked for me when i was a kid!
also, you just have to stick with whatever method of discipline you choose. you can't give up, it takes time. just make sure to keep things he can easily get to out of reach until he gets the point.
good luck. :-)

Answer 6

Time to learn what 'no' means. He is going to be into everything anyway. And yes, they are onry, mine does the same thing and has a temper to boot. Never thought I would have to give a toddler a time out, but it has to be done sometimes. You might try diverting attention as well. Going for walks, expending some of that energy some other way. But 2 years old IS old enough to understand no, and that its not ok to keep getting into things. They are smarter than we might give them credit for. If the kitchen area is a problem, try a gate (if it's designed that way). But if you watch this child every day, childproofing takes on a whole new meaning, and you may not have it child proofed well enough. This kid needs other things to get interested in. Get creative.

Answer 7

I can only imagine! My sis works at a daycare and the biggest problem is the parents! But like you said, you can't do much about that. Just scold him and do something to make it unpleasant for him. Does he have a favorite toy or something you can take away? Or put him in a corner not facing anyone? Don't forget to praise him also when he does good. I all the attention he gets is negative, that is what he is looking for.

Answer 8

i'm sorry to have to break the news to you: you CAN'T keep him from doing what normal toddlers do. the thing is, this is the normal process of learning that toddlers have to go through...it'd be a more serious problem if this toddler kept to himself most of the time and just stayed put...that would raise doubts on his being 'normal', won't it? since you are operating in a day care, the best thing you can do is section off an area of the place and put all toddlers in that section but it must be #1 child proofed : no sharp objects or anything that can fit into the toddlers mouth...no exposed electrical outlets or electric and/or mechanical device (water dispensers, fans, tv, etc. ) within reach or placed in tables that can easily topple over when bumped into by kids....no plastic bags or any material that can be a potential cause for suffocation or any item with chemical agents that can lead to poisoning/irritation....cover furniture edges and put a mat to cushion falls. if you have that covered, allow the two year old to 'explore' his surroundings and don't worry too much about it. try to take an interest in what they do...have a camera beside you..it may come in handy as toddlers do the funniest, most adorable things. you can even make money on the side by selling the photos to their parents...haha..just chill. ok? God bless.

Answer 9

You run or work at a daycare and cannot handle this? He is 2 years old. This is what 2 yr. olds do. And if this wasn't a daycare you would hit him? It also sounds like your trying something once and if it doesn't work you throw your hands up and give up. 2 yr olds take time and time and time. You might want to think about a job change.

Answer 10

Remove him from the situation or keep the stuff he is getting in to out of his reach. You can not reason with a 2 year old, so you have to make it work yourself!