How do you's deal with a childs'misbehaviors that they keep repeating?

Gill - posted on 05/07/2010

I would agree with the lock for the fridge. My youngest has always been fascinated with the kitchen and cooking, often getting in the way. So we got her a cook book and mixing bowl with her own sized spoons and stuff for christmas. Now she asks if she can make stuff from her book and we tidy up together. She has her own time in the kitchen, under supervision, and loves it.

Kylie - posted on 05/05/2010

I think that introduction to cooking is a fantastic and useful activity for him to learn and nice for you both to do together but definitely consequences for disobeying house rules is the way to go, small amount of time in time out or no gaming or tv works for us!

Anna - posted on 05/05/2010

When I read this post I had to giggle a little, when my daughter was a toddler she liked to pull things out of the fridge, go hid with it and then make a mess lol. Once was chocolate syrup all over the living room - No chocolate syrup for several months and she got the point - it was so cute the day i bought it, she said "Mommy I can't have that, don't you remember?!"

Sheila - posted on 05/04/2010

Does he know what he's doing? My brother used to sleep walk and do crazy things. One night he took all of the dirty laundry out of the hamper and put it on his bed. So maybe he's sleep walking.

Jenifer - posted on 05/03/2010

Who is cleaning up the mess? He should be every time this happens. No matter how long it takes or if you need to wake him up in the middle of the night, make him accountable for his own actions.Be consistent and follow through every time. Maybe you can let him help cook,use a recipe even if he can't read it reinforces the fact that there is an order to cooking. If you use measuring cups and spoons this now becomes a math and science lesson again even if he does not get the numbers, the concept is being introduced. Be creative talk about what foods go together and what does not. There should be a consequence for getting out of bed at night. I don't know how old he is, but make a list of rules and consequences post them clearly so he can see.Even if he can't read, he will know what is on there before long. This will reinforce reading and communication skills. Kids are big into sensory play. That is why sand and water tables are so big. They love to feel things with there hands. Maybe this is a need he is trying to meet. See if you can come up with other sensory activities he can play with. Do a web search for sensory activities for young children. If this is not the case with him go through the ritual of hand washing, following a recipe or directions,from start to finish and of course clean up. You may need to read for him but this is a life lesson that he may carry with him forever. Who knows he may grow up to be a great chef or a scientist who loves to experiment.

Melanie - posted on 05/03/2010

How old is he? and is he awake when he does it?

But my answer would be get a child lock on the fridge door. No matter what the reason he won't be getting in. Also have you talked to him about what is happening. I don't ean that frustrated barrage of questions we as parents like to barrel at our kids when we're annoyed with them, but a calm rational discussion about why he is doing what he is doing - depending on age and ability to verbalise feelings some prompting and decoding may be needed.

Dawn - posted on 05/03/2010

How old is he? My daughter went through a stage where she was into everything and didn't care whose it was. She is 7 now and is finally getting out of that. I would just keep disciplining him for it and stay strong. He needs to learn the consequences to his actions.

Dixie - posted on 05/01/2010

my daughter has been doing the same, but with just completly not listening and no respect period.

Angie - posted on 05/01/2010

I believe you can purchase a lock for your fridge. The mess is certainly a problem but the lack of respect for things that belong to the entire family is the bigger problem. In my home, if that happened my child would be told that he had used up his portion of pancakes or eggs. When the family sits down for a nice breakfast, he would be reminded that his had been thrown away when he made a mess with them....

Peewai - posted on 05/01/2010

i guess your son's curious. introduce to him the contents of the fridge, giving descriptions that he would understand. tell him which are for eating and and which ones are not. then maybe assign a small space or shelf where you put the food he is allowed to touch or eat. hope this helps :)