Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on how they are or are planning on setting boundaries for their LOs.
My plan of action so far has been to create as safe environment as I can so that I can give LO plenty of freedom and don't have to overuse the word "no." My idea is to use, "no," sparingly but meaningfully.
I started really using the word "no" with LO and enforcing it by not letting him have something delicate or dangerous rather than just distracting him from it.
So far, he tantrums badly when I say "no," and repeatedly goes after the object I have tried to teach him not to take. So, I am not sure my strategy is working or if I just need to stick with it.
Thoughts..comments?
Re: Boundaries for LO
I'll give her a variety of toys to hopefully hold her attention.
Also, I don't mind using the word no but I also give an explanatory word with it. When she is looking at a lit candle and trying to grab it, "No. Hot. Ouch." When she is trying to claw my face off like a baby wolverine, "No. Gentle."
That being said things can get left down sonetimes She does love wires tv remotes, a fancy gaming mouse, x-box and PS3 controllers, phone, ipod etc. When one of her brothers leave them out we just take the object away and say that's delicate, this isn't safe for you, that doesn't go in your mouth or something like that.
We take the object but offer her something she can have. She usually has a meltdown because she hates having sonething taken away.
A loves the word no and will shake her head no and laugh. When she tries slapping, scratching, pulling my hair I just say be gentle in a gentle voice and take her hand and show her gentle.
The word no is still used but it isn't the only one used.