How can I keep our 2 1/2 yr. old out of other peoples things ??

Question

My 2 1/2 yr. old won't stay out of other peoples rooms and always goes in the linen closet . She gets into everything. Yes we have child proof looks on the doors but she's a smart kid and knows how to take them off. We have tryed everything we can think of . She's been denied things , put in time out, a good talking to, made her clean the mess , but she still does it. Her latest was she climbed the shelf of the linen closet and got a brand new tube of tooth paste and used it as paint all over the walls and rug. Please someone have any ideas of what to do. (No we don't and won't spank her for it.) We do watch her closely but she always seems to do it while I'm taking care of the 6 month old baby.

Answer 1

YOu already answered the question when you said you would not spank her, that there is your problem. she knows she will not get a real punishment for doing anything and is taking advantage of you so take it and clean up the messes cause she is a spoiled i can do what ever i want brat.

Answer 2

The first thing I have to tell you is that the behavior is perfectly normal for her age....But also, she is old enough to listen and understand when you tell her things!....It may take a while but you have to keep being consistent with her.....And it may feel like it is taking FOREVER!!!!.....But she will eventually "get it"....I like the other ideas or watching her more closely and giving her more activities to do but I also know we can only do as much as we can and as a mommy with tow small children you are probably exhausted!....You can maybe try some different kind of locks or place them higher up on the doors...Maybe put the things you don't want her in up higher (like the medication, toothpaste and cleaning supplies) in the house and leave the stuff that won't matter down lower (like the towels and lids)....When mine were small and I was running a daycare I placed baby gates in the hallway and doorways?....Kind of like a mini "cage"...They were free to play anywhere in that room only...Not run all over the house and getting into everything!.....They really don't mind and you can watch them more closely....Good Luck this too will pass with time and you may even miss it all one day....ss

Answer 3

I feel your pain. My daughter is 23 months old and into everything. I try to keep her busy with something else if I'm going to be involved with something for awhile. And I'm a big believer in baby gates. You should see my house, it's like an Olympic hurdles event around here. LOL

Really though.... just get her involved with other things like set her up in her chair with some crayons at the kitchen table while you're making dinner, or get her her own "baby" to take care of while you're attending to the little one. Better yet -- give her some easy jobs to help you out with the baby, like getting out the diaper and wipes and throwing the old diaper away.

Answer 4

don't punish her because she's not being "bad". She is following her 2 year ols primal instinct to be curious about everything....that is a sign of intelligence. And yes...2 year olds are FAST. Try putting things on a high shelf and out of sight because a 2 ear old will climb to get to something they see and might fall, so when you put things up high try to put them out of sight(out of mind). in about a year you should be able to bring things back down. put another door knob on the linen closet...one with a lock that needs a key and otherwise just hang in there. it's not called "terrible 2s" for nothing, Mommy.

Answer 5

If she has access to all parts of the house, and isnt supervised constantly, and not punished consistantly then this is the natural behavior you're going to have to deal with.

Its just the way two year olds naturally want to behave, unless they are made not to, or constantly supervised so they are unable to.

She's a smart kid, and it sounds like she doesnt have enough to do to keep her stimulated... maybe some more physical activities and play friends and art projects will help keep her from messing in things she shouldnt.

Answer 6

Well, if a tap on the little hand is out of the question when she puts where it don't belong...the best thing you can do is to be where she is at all the time...just carry your six month old on your hip and follow your daughter around........and when you go to change a diaper make sure your daughter is right beside you..the same with baths.........

Answer 7

Get her involved with helping you with the baby...she is acting up for attention, so when you know you have to be busy with the baby, give her an activity you know that she will enjoy.
You have probably tried this already, but it's the only thing that I can suggest.

Answer 8

FOLLY IS BOUND UP IN THE HEART OF A CHILD BUT THE ROD OF CORRECTION WILL DRIVE IT FAR FROM HIM, NOW, THIS IS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.
MY 2 Y.O. SON DID ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND I SPANKED HIM WITH A SMALL WOODEN SPOON. GUESS WHAT; HE STOPPED. WHY? NOT BECAUSE HE 'FEARED' ME BUT HE FOUND OUT LIFE HAS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR BAD BEHAVIOR. IT WAS MY JOB TO TEACH THAT IN HIS FORMATIVE YEARS.
I ADORE MY SON, HE HAS NEVER EVEN EATEN A COLD SANDWICH FOR LUNCH, [WELL MABEY 2] ALWAYS HOT STEAMY VEGGIES, BEST CUTS OF MEAT, THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, DRESSED LIKE A PRINCE.
SO I TAUGHT HIM ALSO THE BEST ADVICE, WE MUST OBEY OUR AUTHORITY FIGURES IN THIS WORLD.
I HAVE WITNESSED CHILDREN WHO WERE NEVER SPANKED, THEY DON'T FEEL THE STING OF THE HAND ON THEIR LITTLE BARE BOTTOM, BUT THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO ABUSE [KICK AND HIT] THEIR PARENTS AND OTHER KIDS, JUST BEING HUMAN; THEY KNOW ABOUT VIOLENCE.
GOOD LUCK, YOUR DAUGHTERS BEHAVIOR WILL ESCALATE. I'M A MOTHER OF 4, GRANDMOTHER OF 6 , FORMER NANNY IN ENGLAND AND FORMER FOSTER MOTHER.

Answer 9

Well to me it seems like she is doing it for attention and that ( to me ) is normal . she is still a baby! she just may be very advanced for her age and she will eventually grow out of it .

Answer 10

SUPERVISE her. When you are taking care of the baby put her in her room with a child gate in front of the door. Either that or hire someone to take care of one of the children since you can't seem to do the job.