They can climb!

I knew the day was coming, and it finally arrived yesterday. My twins always learn stuff within hours of each other. Well, yesterday while DH was watching them, they figured out how to climb onto the couch (they both learned how to do it within minutes of each other). So, now I end up saying "sit down, or I put you on the ground" like 3,000 times a day - sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. And, because they don't have much of a fear of falling, we have put play mats all around our couch and chairs just in case they fall (which they nearly did yesterday). I was excited when they could walk, when they could talk, but I don't like this climbing skill!!

 

My DH always said about climbing, I'm glad that they can do it but then I am not glad at the same time. Ours have figured out climbing on to the couch as well, we have had to move any kind of boxes or anything that would give them incentive to climb out of their eyesight. I am beginning to think we will have to remove all furniture and the four of us sit on the floor until the climbing phase passes!

 

I completely understand when our twins were that age we ended up putting pillows along the floor to cushion the fall!

Good Luck!

 

My two have been climbing on the couch for ages. My phrase is "Sit down or Get down". The most important thing to do is to teach them how to get down safely (turn over on your belly and scoot backwards, put your feet on the ground). Honestly my two haven't fallen off of the couch. . .the bed, that's a different story, this morning Royce fell off my bed (he's sick so I let him lay in bed with me so Alice could sleep longer)

 

I remember spending a lot of time teaching them how to turn around and slide off. Then my husband taught them this: "Couch Jump"

 

We just had to block our couch off from the girls. The no fear thing scared me. They kept trying to walk right off it.

 

Ellen, I [heart] your hubby. Mine was a nervous wreck when he'd see them winding up to jump and he was so sure they were going to hurt their legs somehow. I just laughed and asked if he really thought it was the first time they'd tried it.

Teaching them to get down safely is a great idea but I don't think you should try to stop them from climbing altogether. It's an important skill and they need the practice. FWIW, mine still aren't scared of heights so if you're waiting for that to kick in, you might be waiting a while.

 

our 16mth old girl has NO FEAR at all will climb anywhere. whereas her brother is a bit more cautous . she is just plain scary . will get on anything but will also go off backwards . doesnt fall .....yet....he has fallen a couple of time cause he tries to do the same as her.