They are "not allowed" to put anything in their mouths

I was thinking about this last night and realized that a lot of adults still "mouth" things! How often do you see an adult with a pen cap in their mouth? Or what about chewing gum? I know we don't spit the gum out and share it with others, but the idea of having something in your mouth is the same. Babies just don't understand the concept of sharing germs.

 

hi All! It's me - the one who posted this original post. They don't want my kids to mouth things NOT for the fear of spreading germs - it's strictly because they say at age 15 months all kids should stop mouthing. If a baby (i.e. 0-15 mos) puts a toy in its mouth, after he/she is done it goes in a white bucket to be washed. And on Friday, they wash ALL toys. So this rule is strictly because they say my kids are too old to be mouthing toys.
I have to say that in the last 2 days that I have freely let them mouth toys again, they are in HEAVEN and much better moods. (or perhaps it's my imagination. tee hee)
Anyway, we went to the play group yesterday morning and 2 more rules have cropped up. (a) since my kids can now walk, after we have snack they have to carry their dirty paper cup and napkins to the trash. (try managing that with twins! Everyone else has 1 baby; I have 2. It's impossible!) and (B) once they finish playing with a toy, they have to put it away before they can start a new one. WOW. I thought my kids were too young for these rules, but time will tell..............
Thanks to all for your support! I may be spending less time at this group.......... it's very hard with twins to manage this all.
Kathleen

 

I would expect the mother to clean up the napkin and cup, but not the child at that age! My two love to throw things away at this point, but at 16 months, no. Also, they are still, at 29 months, putting toys in their mouths. I am trying to discourage it at this point, but I don't see it as abnormal. As for putting one toy away before starting a new one? Good luck! I think this playgroup organizer is going to be one disappointed lady!

 

These rules are pretty crazy - I wonder, is she just wanting you to try to introduce the concept about throwing trash out, or does she really expect all the kids, even those at the younger end of the age group to actually do it themselves? As far as not mouthing things - just crazy :icon_eek: What are the other younger members of the playgroup doing? What do those moms think about these rules?

 

Hmmm... Next you will not be in that playgroup until your child can say "Please" and "Thank you". I think these things can all be learned, but not stressed over at that age... sounds like she is trying to down-size the group. :unsure:

 

There are only 2 other kids younger than mine, but since they aren't walking they don't have to follow these rules. They are allowed to mouth toys, not put stuff in the trash, and don't have to put every toy away once done. They are also VERY mellow. My kids have soooo much energy and are super charged. Everywhere we go people comment about my DS "my gosh he is SO fast!" (he crawled so fast; now runs very fast; and is very, very strong. Too strong.) So as soon as he is done with a toy and charging off to another toy, it's really, really hard to contain him to put it away. BUt I was a trouper and did it for 90 minutes. My DD just doesn't understand any of it either. Luckily she's not at all strong.
I guess I am just complaining.
And wondering if I should really be epecting this at such a young age. I am a first time mom so this is new to me.............

 

QUOTE(koozie @ Jan 17 2008, 04:02 PM) [snapback]577169[/snapback]
hi All! It's me - the one who posted this original post. They don't want my kids to mouth things NOT for the fear of spreading germs - it's strictly because they say at age 15 months all kids should stop mouthing. If a baby (i.e. 0-15 mos) puts a toy in its mouth, after he/she is done it goes in a white bucket to be washed. And on Friday, they wash ALL toys. So this rule is strictly because they say my kids are too old to be mouthing toys.
I have to say that in the last 2 days that I have freely let them mouth toys again, they are in HEAVEN and much better moods. (or perhaps it's my imagination. tee hee)
Anyway, we went to the play group yesterday morning and 2 more rules have cropped up. (a) since my kids can now walk, after we have snack they have to carry their dirty paper cup and napkins to the trash. (try managing that with twins! Everyone else has 1 baby; I have 2. It's impossible!) and (B) once they finish playing with a toy, they have to put it away before they can start a new one. WOW. I thought my kids were too young for these rules, but time will tell..............
Thanks to all for your support! I may be spending less time at this group.......... it's very hard with twins to manage this all.
Kathleen



Your instincts are exactly right, the expectations are all wrong for children this age. I think that rules like this just cause too much stress on mothers and children too.

 

QUOTE(koozie @ Jan 17 2008, 09:04 PM) [snapback]577640[/snapback]
There are only 2 other kids younger than mine, but since they aren't walking they don't have to follow these rules. They are allowed to mouth toys, not put stuff in the trash, and don't have to put every toy away once done. They are also VERY mellow. My kids have soooo much energy and are super charged. Everywhere we go people comment about my DS "my gosh he is SO fast!" (he crawled so fast; now runs very fast; and is very, very strong. Too strong.) So as soon as he is done with a toy and charging off to another toy, it's really, really hard to contain him to put it away. BUt I was a trouper and did it for 90 minutes. My DD just doesn't understand any of it either. Luckily she's not at all strong.
I guess I am just complaining.
And wondering if I should really be epecting this at such a young age. I am a first time mom so this is new to me.............

Ok, this is ridiculous! The difference between a 15 month old and 3 yr. olds is GI-NORMOUS! I mean COME ON!!!

Seriously create your own playgroup that is kids within 6-12 mos. to your own. I think the group is including TOO big of an age range!

 

I agree - too big of an age-range. Next she'll be saying that since the 3 yr olds can go on the potty, your babies should not be in diapers anymore. Come on. And to get a 15mo-old to put toys away before getting out a new one . . . nice fantasy, lady!!
The way I see it, if your kids are still young enough to refer to them in months, not years, they are still babies. We do not expect an 18mo old to do what a 3 YEAR old does. KWIM?

 

My pediatrician told us that this is how babies explore their worlds! Maybe the makers of this rule should take this into consideration and practice what they preach and stop putting their foots into their mouths!!!!!!!
sarah

 

At our pre-preschool coop, they don't expect them to stop this behavior, it's developmental and normal. They have a simple "mouthed toy bin" where it's the parents responsibility to put the toys in the bin to be cleaned at the end of the session. We take turns cleaning up so it all works out fine. Maybe you could suggest this to your group? Or carry antibacterial wipes to wipe the stuff down immediately afterwards (they did this at our music class).

 

My girls are almost 40 months old.

I spent most of the weekend, saying "get that out of your mouth"