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Looking for advice/suggestions, my 3 yr old dd will not stop giving the baby (5 months old) small toys, food, etc. This has been an issue ever since the baby was born. I have tried explaining to dd in every way I can think of why the baby can't have hair clips and stuff. At first she would laugh at me when I would explain it to her like she thought I was kidding. Now she just looks blankly at me. I don't know if she understands but is doing it on purpose to get attention or if she truly doesn't understand. Am I expecting too much of her by thinking she should understand this concept?
I keep clearing the house of any small objects that could be a danger but something always seems to come up. I cannot turn my back when they are in the same room.
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I honestly don't know...my sister has a three year old and I'm not sure she would understand that small items could hurt a baby if they swallowed them. I definately wouldn't punish her about it but I'd be firm and serious about taking stuff away and keep telling her you have to keep the baby safe or whatever. Maybe letting her play with toys with small items only when the baby is asleep and then you take it away and calmly explain we have to put ______ high up to keep the baby safe.
Good luck!
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I kind of know where you are coming from, but ds is eating solids now, so dd doesn't seem to understand that he can't eat all the same things she can.
What we do as far as the small toys go is tell her that she can only play with them in her room with her door closed (ds is also walking). DD is a little younger, so she really doesn't have access to much that would be a hazard, but I still keep her 3 & up toys in containers and keep them up high. She knows to ask me for them when she wants to play.
I would think that she would be able to understand something simple like telling her that the only things that go into the baby's mouth are a paci and the bottle. Maybe try that as opposed to telling her what can't. And that the baby can only play with the baby toys.
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I have an easy fix...I hope! It worked with my own children. Give her a toilet paper roll (an empty one). Tell her that anything small enough to fit in it is too small to give to the baby! It was actually something our big brother/sister class told us when we were pregnant! It was SO easy for them to remember this way...and they had fun decorating or coloring the rolls...and if they got lost, well, around here there is ALWAYS a spare empty roll!! LOL
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Thank you all!
Blessed with 6 - I am going to do the toilet paper roll explanation the first thing in the morning! She really likes to be in control so I have high hopes this will work. Thank you.
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I'm not saying your child is doing what mine did, but at that age my ds was GREAT at playing, "dumb" when he knew perfectly well what I was talking about!!!
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Originally Posted by Stormy
I'm not saying your child is doing what mine did, but at that age my ds was GREAT at playing, "dumb" when he knew perfectly well what I was talking about!!!
I was going to say the same thing.
My boys were 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 when Wyndser was born, and I had to teach them not to give things to her that were dangerous, too. I think they understand more than we tend to give them credit for. Personally, I would punish her for her actions. It may break your heart to do it, but it would crush you if something horrible happened to your baby.
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Originally Posted by blessed_with_6
I have an easy fix...I hope! It worked with my own children. Give her a toilet paper roll (an empty one). Tell her that anything small enough to fit in it is too small to give to the baby! It was actually something our big brother/sister class told us when we were pregnant! It was SO easy for them to remember this way...and they had fun decorating or coloring the rolls...and if they got lost, well, around here there is ALWAYS a spare empty roll!! LOL
What a great idea!!
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Yeah, I've been wondering about her "playing dumb" but just wanted to make sure that I'm not asking her to understand something she may not be capable of at her age. I dont want to punsh her for something that is not her fault. Today, I've explained the toilet paper tube and she's been playing with it and trying to put things into it and I've been also teaching her more how to play with the baby I think I haven't spent enough time doing that. I've also been trying to get her in a sibling class, she was too young while I was pregnant, maybe if a nurse explained it to her she might take it more seriously. But I can't get anyone at the hospital in charge of classes to return my calls or answer my e-mails. Maybe I'll ask the pediatrician to talk to her at our next appt.
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I think it depends on the kid. My daughter was 2 1/2 when her brother started eating food and was very aware of what was appropriate. In fact, she would come behind me and break food up smaller if she didn't feel I did a good enough job. She was constantly bugging me, even making me break things up like crackers. She was very worried he would choke. My son on the other hand, isn't three yet but I would totally amazed if he "got" choking and safety at that point.