I am trying to find light switch covers to prevent my two year old from playing with the light.?

Question

We have tried the hand smacking bit for about a year now with no difference in his actions. I just went out and purchased weatherproof receptacle covers that are on a hinge but he figured those out in about five minutes. I am not about to unscrew every light bulb in my house since he has now taken to carrying around his Fisher Price barn to stand on and turn on lights in various rooms of the house. I also do not have ceiling fans so pulling the chain does not work. This is my second child and we did not have these problems with my first born. The hand smacking worked fine on his brother. This one is the devil and we have had to install doorknob covers, special outlet covers that slide since he would take out the plugs and even now he knows how to use them. So far the best thing I have found is this huge monstrosity made of clear plastic that latches closed but it sits about 6 inches above the wall and also costs $17! I so far need to convert 6 light switches.

Answer 1

I agree with a previous poster that you should probably ignore his playing with the light. This isn't about the light. It's about the feeling of power that he gets from involving you in a battle of wills. Some would say that you should engage him on his level and make him obey at all costs. But there are so many of these types of issues (as I'm sure you can imagne) that it would be a never ending battle. One that he has much more time and energy to invest than you do. He'd just start turning on the bathroom faucet. And you'd smack his hand over that until he learned to flush the toilet repeatedly. Then he'd... you get the picture.

However, this is an opportunity to encourage cooperation and help him understand that the perks of living with you are just that - perks that you give him out of the goodness of your heart, but also with the expectation of cooperation and good behavior. So you'll have to take away his barn so that he doesn't have anything to stand on and tell him that it is not meant to be stood on and he will lose whenever you discover that he's been using it that way. Then whenever you find him *not* turning on a light PRAISE HIM. Say something like "I notice that you aren't turing on the lights! You're helping our family save electricity!" as cheerfully as possible and then move on to something else. I know it sounds crazy, especially if he's just sitting down snacking on a bowl of cheerios, but do it anyway. And do it as often as you can, at least 10 times per day. He'll start to think of himself as someone who doesn't turn on the lights. There is the distinct possibility that after making one of these comments he will run to the first light switch he can find and madly begin to play with it. Ignore it - it's an unavoidable glitch in the system that will diminish over time. Remember that you are smarter than him and, unlike him, have an eye toward "the big picture".

When he does slip up (and he will because engaging in these types of battles has probably become a habit - like it had for my daughter), try to ignore it. But if you feel you must comment on it, wait until he has stopped doing it and then say "Oh, you've decided to stop turning on the light" or "You're not playing with the light switch any more!" And go about your business.

My daughter's issue (at least the one that drove me crazy) wasn't light switches, it was climbing. But after a few days of using these methods (which I paid $100 to learn at a parenting seminar) she stopped and actually became less of a "handful" in general. A friend of mine tells me that the principles I paid for can be had for much less in the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk " by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. The Amazon reviews are so overwhelmingly positive that I plan to read it next.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

You don't need a special switch cover. Let your child come near to the switch. Each time he tries to touch, you hit his hand. Do not smile or laugh with him. Let him continue, but each time you hit him, you must tell him cannot touch. Very soon, he will stop and know that this is something forbidden to meddle around (Child psychological development phase).

Answer 3

You probably won't like my answer but let him do it. He already knows he can. He will probably find something more exciting he can get to. I only say this cuz my son did it and he doesn't back down easily.

So I thought who cares if he turns on a light. He lost interest after a while. He's got bigger fish to fry.

Answer 4

I just turned them on and was using the chain in the middle of the fan (in all rooms we have fan/light so it was possible).

Answer 5

I usually cover them w/ tape.
Or unscrew bulbs
Or spank hands

Answer 6

oulets covers can be found at the doller tree or anywhere else