We don’t keep many things around that Camper can’t touch. It doesn’t seem fair for a baby to hear “no” all day long. But as he becomes more mobile, it’s inevitable that there are things he needs to leave alone. For awhile he was REALLY into climbing up to the entertainment system, standing up and banging the big wooden doors that cover the TV.
Scarrrry.
So we instituted our first real discipline. I told him “no” once. Then, if he didn’t listen, he went in time out. Also known as “The Safe Cage.” Awful, I know. But in some real, philosophical way, I wanted him to feel that bad choices limit his freedom. He’d hear “no,” if he persisted he’d go into time out for anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on…well…if he had fun in there. I had to wait for him to look at me in frustration and then I would take him out, kiss him and say, “I love you, please stay away from the TV.”
Sometimes it felt stupid.
But two months later he’s GOT IT. He KNOWS to stay away. There were days when I had to repeat our little routine 10 times in a row before he left it alone. He never got too upset, I always cuddled him after. And two months later the lesson has sunk in.
I feel a little happy about this, and I hope that this will continue to work. I think the thing to remember is that sometimes you just have to be consistent with your rules, and wait the two months (or more) for them to sink in. 
An example of a time when the “safe cage” failed. We had to take the pillow out.
Yeah.
This is awesome! Way to go!!
Erin, Yeah I think having the “stick-to-it” and stay with it attitude are the way to go. While I am not the Mom, but the babysitter for Cutter, he pushes evey day to do things he knows he should not do.I have actually caught him looking at me, and waiting untill I am looking at him to do something to get my “NO”.I feel the same way about saying no all day, and try to give him better options, but that chair, table, or whatever is just too much temptation for him, he has climb up on it. He has also decided to show his frustration with me by pointing at me, or doing a “no” with his hand, which is cute, and hard not to laugh at, but not a good thing when you are trying to show him other things.After he gets it, and knows he has done something wrong, his little “sorry” routine is also adorable, he comes over to me and hugs my leg, and kisses me. I know that he is a sweet boy, and that the only way he will learn is from us, so that keeps me on track. It is hard for sure, but sooner or later they do get it, but it is a never-ending task to keep them on track. I also use the “NO Thank You” instead of just “No”, that was from Melissa, and her training at the day care LOL. Love you lots P
[...] a big house full of grownups has been our Metal 3-in-1 Superyard. We use it for small time outs while teaching boundaries (which he hasn’t had to have in a long time) and as a quick place you can stash the baby if [...]