My son is 17 months old and he is at that stage where he like to grab everything. I know it's normal for kids this age, but with out spanking because it's not how things work with me.


What are some ideas on teaching him not to grab everything or am I doomed

you may have to pop his hand....not hard but he has to know his limits

wire up some low voltage to some random objects in the house

after a couple of times getting zapped he'll stop grabbing stuff





no no no dont do that I'm just kidding

I never had kids and never had to go through that stage so I wouldnt have any idea what you're spose to do

but then again. I remember when I was a toddler and took my dad's car keys and stuck em in a wall plug

I only did that once

Just keep telling him no. He'll test you. That's just what they do. He'll get it eventually.

There is the obvious placing things high and out of his reach. But for things that you can't put up, you will just have to be consistent and tell him he cannot have them or get into them. Distraction can help too, have something that he likes close by and offer him that to get him away from what he isn't supposed to be around.

But just repetition and consistency, he will learn, he is a smart little guy, but I didn't say it wouldn't make you "slightly" crazy for awhile.

My ex smoked and my daughter would make a straight line for his ashtray or cigarettes every time he left the room. She would put a handful of cigarette butts in her mouth or tear up his cigarettes -- that really made him happy -- NOT!!! I kept his things put up high so she couldn't reach them, but no matter how bad the cigarette butts tasted, she would repeatedly do this. I couldn't only keep them out of her reach or keep telling her no and that they would make her sick.

its so normal my little boy dose it to and i cant seam to find anything that works i tell him no he laughs at me, i tap the top of his hand not hard and he halls off and hits me as hared as he can and then laughs. i think i must just be to funny to my little one

you aren't doomed; the mouth is how children learn.

anything that's of value or that could hurt him should be placed out of his reach. make sure that he has a supply of items that are safe for him to chew on and learn from. at his age, a simple "no" combined with redirection can work wonders.

"no, you can't eat that" combined with, "here you go".

they are so amazing at the age...the curiosity...i like to get down on their level, sit on the floor...and just see through new eyes.

and how the heck did he get that old? surely it hasn't been that long...jeesh.

my son is 18 months and i had the same prob so i started givine him a slap on the hands not hard just enough to get his attention and would then tell him no he would cry and protest but i would sit him down till he was calm and so far it has worked he dosnt grab things he know that he shouldnt now. remember i dont slap him hard just a tap

Yep what she said.

Say 'No. You can't play with the <dangerous object>. You could get hurt. Here is a toy."

I have 4 boys and I really dont like to spank them either. The best way is to redirect him. Try to get himinvolved with something else. Also at 17 months he is old enough for a short time out. If redirecting doesnt work find a quiet, safe place for him to have a time out. It will take awhile for him to actually sit but stay firm and before you know it he will sit for a minute, which is all he needs at that age. Eventually all you will have to do is say if you do that again you will have a time out and he will know what you mean. It can be hard at first but don't give in, and be strong because he will cry.

At 17 months they don't have the understanding to know what is safe to touch and not touch. It is just part of parenting so you have to put non-kid stuff out of sight which is pretty much out of mind.

Children do learn by playing so teaching them what is a toy and what is a hot potatoe with little candy treats can help them start getting the idea. Start with small things that you just don't want them to touch like keys or or phone. If they tell you they find a hot potatoe laying around without touching they get a candy.

Useing the phrase we can look with our eyes but not with our fingers helps.

It is a frusterateing time that will pass faster than you will wish later on..

At this age he does not know much . Do not spank him . Try to show him . Be careful with danger stuff like electrical outlets.....etc.

This is a good time to child proof your home if you haven't already. A visit to the local fire department can be a good place to get information and some departments actually offer Kid safe programs or home visits to help you identify hazards. Many will give you free smoke detectors. If you have a garage seriously consider a CO2 detector. I believe every home that has a child should have a fire extinguiser and a safe outside spot to meet in and emergency.

I remember taking two wiers and sticking them in a wall plug when i was 7, scared the **** out of me when heard a pop sound and a flash right after it lol.



As far as seting up a low voltage. As a joke I was talking to a friend and was wondering how it would be if they mad baby shokers like they do for dogs. Hell ad a remote to it so when they to grab something you don't want them to. You could shoke them lol.

Yes he does do that.

The little guys is smart, if you are holding somthing and he wants it. He will go and grab somthing else so you'll get up and bolt as fast as he can in hops you put down what you have to get it

Over all though, like you said. I just have to keep on him and he is catching on.

With me it's hard at time not to laugh at him, so ill turn my head so he don't think it's something he can do all the time. At my friends house he will grab things so at time ill just hold his hands while he has what ever it is on it. Not where it will hurt him, but does make him mad then ill let go and he will give me this dirty look and wont come back to it for a little while, thats because he realize they're other things he can run to and grab. The little bogger is fast to

I agree and i do redirect him and thing that will hurt him are up and out of his reach. I do once in a while tap his hand. Like everyone else not where it will hurt him but it gets his attention.


I liked what you said about geting down to his level.

I have put thing up that will hurt him, and like everyone else I do tap his hand enough to where it gets his attention, but not hurt him. As to redirecting him. It's somthing i been working on other then just saying no. I liked what you said about getingdown to his level. You have to, to an extent on taking to him. But most of all I like to look at that while i'm playing with him. As were bonding

Actually, having him sit on the couch and me telling him to sit as a time out. Works for a minute, but he does listen. I think i'm going have to try that more and see how that works.