failure?

I am starting to feel like a complete failure. My guys are climbing all over the furniture and when I tell them no, they look at me and laugh!!! I am about to lose it!!!! How do I win?

 

You are not a failure. You have two 15 month-olds who are starting to test you. My advice, stay strong and remain consistent. If you don't want them jumping on the couch or table-- remove them from the activity, tell them it is not acceptable and redirect their attention. And yes you will have to do this a million times before they start get it! Stay strong and hang in there! :hug99:

 

I have to agree, consistency is the key. Eventually they will get it if you just keep up what you are doing. This may be a good time to start time-out if you haven't done so before. My girls would just laugh at us too, but after a while, they just started listening.

 

Yup, I have to agree with the pp's .. be consistant and let them know that it isnt acceptable behavior.

 

I compromised by showing them how to climb up onto only the seating part of the couch and then how to climb down again backwards - and only with me there and only because we have carpet. I agree with the previous posts that consistency is the key and they were not allowed to jump or stand on the couch at all.
Elayna was in PT when my DDs were the age of yours and her therapist was thrilled to see her climbing and encouraged it - so I didn't really stand a chance! <_<
Good luck, I know it is so frustrating (and scary!). :hug99:

 

My girls do the same thing to me. I am not sure if they are ready for time-outs yet but I have to do something. My desk chair is locked in the bathroom right now because they keep getting up on it and climbing on top of the desk.

Look at it this way - they are smart enough to figure out how to climb on things

My main thing is that I try not to make getting them off things a game. I tell them once or twice that mommy says no and then without speaking move them or the item that they are climbing on.

Good Luck - I am hoping they grow out of it :winking0009:

 

You don't! At least not right now at 15 mos old! Just be consistent and eventually they will get that you mean business but right now it's pretty hard to get a 15 month old to see reason. :hug99:

 

QUOTE(NicoleT @ Feb 26 2008, 06:41 PM) [snapback]641788[/snapback]
You are not a failure. You have two 15 month-olds who are starting to test you. My advice, stay strong and remain consistent. If you don't want them jumping on the couch or table-- remove them from the activity, tell them it is not acceptable and redirect their attention. And yes you will have to do this a million times before they start get it! Stay strong and hang in there! :hug99:


100% agree with Nicole!
You aren't a failure at all! :hug99: They are at that age where their job is to see how far they can go with things. They will get it..soon hopefully... but just keep at it and be consistant. You are doing a great job momma!!! :love0028:

 

QUOTE(NicoleT @ Feb 26 2008, 03:41 PM) [snapback]641788[/snapback]
You are not a failure. You have two 15 month-olds who are starting to test you. My advice, stay strong and remain consistent. If you don't want them jumping on the couch or table-- remove them from the activity, tell them it is not acceptable and redirect their attention. And yes you will have to do this a million times before they start get it! Stay strong and hang in there! :hug99:

I agree with Nicole,

That and a margurita after they go to bed will help too :laughing: !

 

If you're a failure, then count me in too because my guys do the EXACT same thing. I've given up the fight on climbing on the coffee table but do require that they remain seated when they get there. I'm in the process of finding some things that are appropriate for them to climb. While I don't have an alternative, the table/couch are it. I just keep doing it and try to remain calm even if they are "laughing" at me saying "no". They will eventually get it. The point is that you are trying to teach them rather than just letting them have free reign. Everything is a stage, right? :unknw:

Shannon

 

I've found with my guys I did two things that helped.

Firstly I realised that I didn't really mind them on the sofa and that I figured that so long as they didn't bounce around too much they probably couldn't hurt themselves. I guess I was trying to pick my battles - and this wasn't going to be one of them. So I let them go on the sofa, but they know they either have to sit or move carefully (at your age I think they were only allowed to sit), otherwise after one or two warnings they're removed.

Secondly, I really DID care that they didn't go on the glass and wood coffee table (that I loathe, but it's the only one we have) as it could be dangerous. They too found it funny when I told them to get down etc. Sometimes they try to do it unthinkingly, but usually they climb up as an attention thing. They want my response and are smiling in anticipation. So, I don't give them eye contact, I don't say anything (they already know it's not allowed) but I gently lift them off (I'm not angry or annoyed when I do this). If once is not enough, I lift them off again and give them something else to do in another part of the room which usually works.

lisa

 

You are not a failure, it is the age. My two did this too. I found they did it much more when I gave them attention, so as long as they weren't going to fall and hurt themselves I ignored them. The novelty wore off shortly after that. It will get better. :hug99:

 

So glad to see this post as DD is going through the same thing with her 15month olds... They are OUT OF CONTROL! All furniture has been moved out of the living room expect a chair, couch and tv/stand... I babysat them the other day and they totally don't listen to me and I was exhausted by the time their nanny came over.. She (the nanny) seems to be the only one who they listen to!
Lindy, mom to Steph and nana to
Cameron and Corey

 

Thank you so much for posting this! My two are getting to be exactly this way and it is so exhausting! Thank you for all the posts in this thread, you will help me keep my patience better, knowing that this is a normal stage. I can see where it's too easy to quit fighting them and let them do what they want. Luckily for me my dh and I are on the same page.

 

You are not a failure in the least bit. They are testing to see how far they can go. Stand your ground, tell them no and redirect them. They will continue to do this until they are bored with it and then it will be on to bigger and better and will start climbing the walls.

 

QUOTE(NicoleT @ Feb 26 2008, 11:41 PM) [snapback]641788[/snapback]
You are not a failure. You have two 15 month-olds who are starting to test you. My advice, stay strong and remain consistent. If you don't want them jumping on the couch or table-- remove them from the activity, tell them it is not acceptable and redirect their attention. And yes you will have to do this a million times before they start get it! Stay strong and hang in there! :hug99:

This is how we did it when i was working at a preschool before i got preggos.
takes time but works
Good Luck

 

I am in the same boat! My DD shakes her head "no" at me and continues to defy me all the time...Be consistent...I am already starting to see the payoff! :hug99: You are a GREAT mom!