Have you started to use it with your baby? Are they beginning to understand? What is their reaction to it?
We started this with Josephine around 6 months. The very first time DH said it, and she went all lunatic on us screaming like we'd done something horrible to her. He removed what she had in her hand and said (in a stern tone) "Josephine, no."
I had to take her to her nursery and rock for about 20 minutes to calm her down, if he came in she lost it again.
She's better at it now. Still doesn't like it, and will stick her lip out and start to cry. but she's just started this insane screaming when you take something from her. At first it was funny, then she did it at dinner, and I simply said in a stern voice "No, we do not act like that." and she stopped. It was like she looked at me and said... "ok mom, sorry."
Just wondered how everyone else's LO responds to no.
Re: The dreaded... No
I plan to not say it unless it's a case of danger but even then I'd rather say a loud "ouch, stop"
My husband says it a lot. It's like funny jibberish to her. She'll be saying it back to him in no time!
Interesting so what do you plan to use when she's into something she shouldn't be?
We don't gate Josephine, I'm into letting her explore her surroundings, she needs to (in my opinion) know what her boundaries are in the house, for instance, she's allowed in the kitchen, but not near the garbage can or oven. I let her "cook" with me all the time, I give her a bowl, and a spoon and let her play. So when she heads towards the garbage can I say, No Josephine, you stay over here with mommy.
I am totally open to alternatives, because I do feel like we say no too often. So what is/are your, "that's not allowed" word/s?
We don't gate A either.
I say a lot of "this is for A" and "not for A" . So lots of redirection!
Or if she's headed to something I don't want her near I just sit myself down in the playroom and start reading one of her favourite books. Without fail, she turns and crawls to join me in story time!
Fantastic. Thanks for that. I guess I do use a lot of that's not for Josephine, here, lets do this... so thanks. I may try more of that.
Josephine loves books too...LOVES them
For something he shouldn't touch it's eyes only please.
I use the occasional no but try not to. He will shake his head no when he's headed for something he's no supposed to like the fan so I think he's catching on.
We use no for stuff she shouldn't be doing, but mostly we let her explore everything. I think she totally knows what no means or at least shaking your head no because she shakes her head all.the.time.
She'll shake her head no when she's done eating. Or if I redirect her attention she'll shake her head no.
But then one day I was whispering I love you in her ear and she kept shaking her head no! Maybe she hates whispering in her ear...that's actually something my DH hates with a passion when someone whispers in his ear.
BFP #2 - MC Aug 2012 - D&C w/ complications
We do use a lot of other words, I was paying attention lastnight. That was my goal, don't do it different just pay attention to what you are saying, kind of a take notes kind of thing.
When she is headed for the dog, (she likes to climb on him), "be easy Josephine, pet him nice" Then show her how to pet him.
When she tries to stand in the tub, "No Josephine, we sit in the bath tub" gently sit her back down
When she is headed for the dog bowl, "not for Josephine" and pick her up and set her in another direction.
When she pulls hair, "ouch, that hurts mommy/daddy, be easy" Then softly touch her hair
When she picks up dog food off of the floor, "No Josephine, that's not for you", and grab one of her fav toys/books.
So although we're not saying it as much as I thought we were, we sure do have to redirect her a lot... which is totally to be expected, and kind of fun.