Question:
Today, Andrew has discovered a new, fun thing to do. He’ll stand up, arch his back as far as he can so that he’s looking up at the ceiling, then he’ll lose his balance, sit down, then fall straight back. The first couple of times he did it, the fall back was in very slow motion, so I didn’t worry about it. After that, though, he started *really* falling back and really clocking the back of his head. The last time he did it, he was over by the front door (where there is not carpet — just wood flooring), and he hurt himself enough to cry for a good five minutes (which is unusual unless he’s throwing a tantrum). Now, I know that I shouldn’t argue with him about it, because he’ll do it even more if it gets him attention. I also know that he’s doing it on purpose, because the first few times, he’d giggle like a loon afterwards. I know some toddlers go through head-banging stages (which Andrew has not), but has anybody ever seen anything like this before?? Thanks, Kathleen "If sense were common, more people would have it." — Me ICQ# – 33613577 **Spam Trap** Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
Response:
>Today, Andrew has discovered a new, fun thing to do. He’ll stand up, arch >his back as far as he can so that he’s looking up at the ceiling, then >he’ll lose his balance, sit down, then fall straight back.
I forget how old Andrew is. Is he old enough that you can tell him "that is going to hurt" when you see him doing it? My Andy (must be something to do with the name) did a swan dive out of the shopping cart at Wal-Mart one day. Luckily, we were in a part of the store that had carpeting. But still the clerk and I were both about sick! From that day on (just before his third birthday) if he starts to stand up in the cart (he can get the seatbelt undone faster than I can get it hooked) all I have to say is "remember that time you fell out of the cart and how bad that hurt???" Then he sits right down again. Don’t know if that will work for you or not, but you might give it a shot. It worked really well for me. I don’t make a big deal out of it. I just remind him that it hurt the last time and might be a good idea not to do it again. Good luck! Sharon
Response:
wisdom, writ: >I forget how old Andrew is. Is he old enough that you can tell him "that is >going to hurt" when you see him doing it? My Andy (must be something to do >with the name) did a swan dive out of the shopping cart at Wal-Mart one >day. Luckily, we were in a part of the store that had carpeting. But still >the clerk and I were both about sick! From that day on (just before his >third birthday) if he starts to stand up in the cart (he can get the >seatbelt undone faster than I can get it hooked) all I have to say is >"remember that time you fell out of the cart and how bad that hurt???" Then >he sits right down again.
He’ll be 19 months on the 19th; I can tell him it’ll hurt, and he’ll understand it, but my son seems to have the adrenalin-addiction of the bungee jumping types — he has *no* fear. I’m glad that he’s such a brave big boy, but I don’t want him to hurt himself. Well, I suppose we’ll find out tomorrow; maybe I’ll get lucky, and he’ll decide that after that whack on the back of his head, it’s not such a good idea to do that. >Don’t know if that will work for you or not, but you might give it a shot. >It worked really well for me. I don’t make a big deal out of it. I just >remind him that it hurt the last time and might be a good idea not to do it >again. >Good luck!
Thanks, I have a feeling I’ll need it. 
Kathleen "If sense were common, more people would have it." — Me ICQ# – 33613577 **Spam Trap** Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
Response:
I have very stubborn children and when they come up with new weird habbits like this I usually let it go. With them learning about cause and effect works better than trying to stop something like this. Georga – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks, Amanda… as long as I know it’s not some bizarre manifestation of > a neurological problem (I know too much about health and medicine for my > own good, darn it!), I’ll let it slide. He hasn’t done it at all today; I > guess the crack on the head scared the tar out of him, poor thing. > Kathleen > writ: >Kathleen, >John Baron is 19 months old, and does something very similar. (His involves >spinning around, jumping and landing on his bottom, then flinging himself >back.) I think he’s just in love with the freedom of movement. We’ve got a >very hard floor, covered with a thin berber carpet, so he wasn’t getting >much cushion for his favorite game. >He also accidentally whacked himself a few good ones…the first few times, >he slowed down the descent, but he’s gotten right back up to flinging >himself around again. >He was obviously willing to run the risk of hurting himself every now and >then for the benefit of having so much baby fun. I decided there was no way >I could get him to stop, so now I keep about four big comforters in the hall >closet. When he starts bounding and jumping and flying, I just bring them >out and put them all down on the floor for him. He’ll jump on them until >he’s tired of the game, and I’m not *so* worried that he’s going to crack >himself. >Works for us! >Amanda, mommy to "danger boy" >> Today, Andrew has discovered a new, fun thing to do. He’ll stand up, arch >> his back as far as he can so that he’s looking up at the ceiling, then >> he’ll lose his balance, sit down, then fall straight back. The first >> couple of times he did it, the fall back was in very slow motion, so I >> didn’t worry about it. After that, though, he started *really* falling >> back and really clocking the back of his head. The last time he did it, he >> was over by the front door (where there is not carpet — just wood >> flooring), and he hurt himself enough to cry for a good five minutes >> (which is unusual unless he’s throwing a tantrum). >> Now, I know that I shouldn’t argue with him about it, because he’ll do it >> even more if it gets him attention. I also know that he’s doing it on >> purpose, because the first few times, he’d giggle like a loon afterwards. >> I know some toddlers go through head-banging stages (which Andrew has >> not), but has anybody ever seen anything like this before?? >> Thanks, >> Kathleen >> "If sense were common, more people would have it." >> — Me >> ICQ# – 33613577 >> **Spam Trap** >> Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail. > "If sense were common, more people would have it." > — Me > ICQ# – 33613577 > **Spam Trap** > Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
Response:
>Hey! Glen!
WHAT!?? >Are you listening?
Do you remember what was said about young kids not hearing the negatives? Do you recall anything about those things that are forbidden being the most desireable? >Sometimes though the explanation doesn’t sink in or is not enough. I >had a cousin who was curious as a cat. He was always trying to tough >the wood burning stove. His father said "Don’t touch that, it’s hot and >you’ll burn yourself and it will really hurt." Well one day he managed >to dart by his dad n his run to touch the stove. Yow!!! He still bears >the scars of his rather painful lesson in listening to your parents 
OK, Janet — should I do it all over again, here, or should I just leave it alone? I hate to repeat myself for fear of being even more boreing than usual (I *try* to at least change my phrasing to avoid that), but if it seems like a Good Idea ™, I’ll do it. — Do not underestimate your abilities. That is your boss’s job. It is your job to find ways around your boss’s roadblocks.
Response:
Hey! Glen! Are you listening? ) –Janet Triplets (10/21/96) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Geary kept trying to explain to her that she would trip > >and fall running in those shoes. > Isn’t it great that parenting has evolved to include explanations as to why you > shouldn’t do things? When I was about 4, we lived on a big ranch with lots of > horses. My father always told me not to walk behind the horses but never told > me why. I thought he was just being mean and making me walk farther than I > needed to. One day I got mad and walked behind the horse – it proceeded to > kick me so hard that I went flying. I remember staring up at the sky after I > landed and thinking "I should probably be breathing". I resented him for a > long time for not telling me WHY I shouldn’t walk behind the horse. > I’d just put one of those little bicycle helmets on your son and let him fall > all over all over the place. Or teach him to spin – that was always fun. > DB > (considering going out back and spinning til she falls) >Sometimes though the explanation doesn’t sink in or is not enough. I >had a cousin who was curious as a cat. He was always trying to tough >the wood burning stove. His father said "Don’t touch that, it’s hot and >you’ll burn yourself and it will really hurt." Well one day he managed >to dart by his dad n his run to touch the stove. Yow!!! He still bears >the scars of his rather painful lesson in listening to your parents >– >Paige >GO LEAFS!!! >Proud to be Outlandish >Royal Defender of The Brat
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Geary kept trying to explain to her that she would trip >and fall running in those shoes. > Isn’t it great that parenting has evolved to include explanations as to why you > shouldn’t do things? When I was about 4, we lived on a big ranch with lots of > horses. My father always told me not to walk behind the horses but never told > me why. I thought he was just being mean and making me walk farther than I > needed to. One day I got mad and walked behind the horse – it proceeded to > kick me so hard that I went flying. I remember staring up at the sky after I > landed and thinking "I should probably be breathing". I resented him for a > long time for not telling me WHY I shouldn’t walk behind the horse. > I’d just put one of those little bicycle helmets on your son and let him fall > all over all over the place. Or teach him to spin – that was always fun. > DB > (considering going out back and spinning til she falls)
Sometimes though the explanation doesn’t sink in or is not enough. I had a cousin who was curious as a cat. He was always trying to tough the wood burning stove. His father said "Don’t touch that, it’s hot and you’ll burn yourself and it will really hurt." Well one day he managed to dart by his dad n his run to touch the stove. Yow!!! He still bears the scars of his rather painful lesson in listening to your parents — Paige GO LEAFS!!! Proud to be Outlandish Royal Defender of The Brat
Response:
>Geary kept trying to explain to her that she would trip >and fall running in those shoes.
Isn’t it great that parenting has evolved to include explanations as to why you shouldn’t do things? When I was about 4, we lived on a big ranch with lots of horses. My father always told me not to walk behind the horses but never told me why. I thought he was just being mean and making me walk farther than I needed to. One day I got mad and walked behind the horse – it proceeded to kick me so hard that I went flying. I remember staring up at the sky after I landed and thinking "I should probably be breathing". I resented him for a long time for not telling me WHY I shouldn’t walk behind the horse. I’d just put one of those little bicycle helmets on your son and let him fall all over all over the place. Or teach him to spin – that was always fun. DB (considering going out back and spinning til she falls)
Response:
> I have very stubborn children and when they come up with new weird habbits > like this I usually let it go. With them learning about cause and effect > works better than trying to stop something like this. > Georga
Oh, I couldn’t agree more. And it doesn’t ever stop with strong willed children even as they get older. Yesterday, I caught Jenny and my hubby arguing over the shoes Jenny was wearing. She wanted to wear thong sandals (the kind with the strap between the toes) which can come off very easily. But she also wanted to run in them. Geary kept trying to explain to her that she would trip and fall running in those shoes. They both kept on repeating their sides of the argument to the point they both got upset. That’s where I stepped in (yeah, hero mom to the rescue! <g>). I suggested that Geary not try to argue with Jenny because Jenny has always disregarded our cautions until she learns from her own firsthand experiences. I told him that when she falls, let her get a bandaide. Maybe she will learn on her own that running in thongs is a bad idea. But there’s no point in arguing with her at her age since Jenny has always disregarded our cautions and learned by experience. With that, Geary agreed and the argument stopped. Of course, when Jenny heard me explain it that way, she quickly decided she’d better change to her tennis shoes. Maybe Mom had a plan with all the things she said? Seriously, I don’t know of any other way to deal with kids who seem intent on hurting themselves other than to let them do it and learn from it on their own. I’d rather Jenny learn now (as she is just barely beginning to) that her parents have some truth in what they say with their cautions rather than to wait for her to learn while driving a car or other more dangerous situation. Some kids just don’t listen. When you have a child like that, the earlier you can let them experience the consequences of their actions, the better. Just be well stocked up on your first aide supplies! Take Care! Vicki Surratt Proud Mom of Kathy (6) and Jenny (9)! Visit my new website! http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Oaks/9003/
Response:
Thanks, Amanda… as long as I know it’s not some bizarre manifestation of a neurological problem (I know too much about health and medicine for my own good, darn it!), I’ll let it slide. He hasn’t done it at all today; I guess the crack on the head scared the tar out of him, poor thing. Kathleen writ: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Kathleen, >John Baron is 19 months old, and does something very similar. (His involves >spinning around, jumping and landing on his bottom, then flinging himself >back.) I think he’s just in love with the freedom of movement. We’ve got a >very hard floor, covered with a thin berber carpet, so he wasn’t getting >much cushion for his favorite game. >He also accidentally whacked himself a few good ones…the first few times, >he slowed down the descent, but he’s gotten right back up to flinging >himself around again. >He was obviously willing to run the risk of hurting himself every now and >then for the benefit of having so much baby fun. I decided there was no way >I could get him to stop, so now I keep about four big comforters in the hall >closet. When he starts bounding and jumping and flying, I just bring them >out and put them all down on the floor for him. He’ll jump on them until >he’s tired of the game, and I’m not *so* worried that he’s going to crack >himself. >Works for us! >Amanda, mommy to "danger boy" > Today, Andrew has discovered a new, fun thing to do. He’ll stand up, arch > his back as far as he can so that he’s looking up at the ceiling, then > he’ll lose his balance, sit down, then fall straight back. The first > couple of times he did it, the fall back was in very slow motion, so I > didn’t worry about it. After that, though, he started *really* falling > back and really clocking the back of his head. The last time he did it, he > was over by the front door (where there is not carpet — just wood > flooring), and he hurt himself enough to cry for a good five minutes > (which is unusual unless he’s throwing a tantrum). > Now, I know that I shouldn’t argue with him about it, because he’ll do it > even more if it gets him attention. I also know that he’s doing it on > purpose, because the first few times, he’d giggle like a loon afterwards. > I know some toddlers go through head-banging stages (which Andrew has > not), but has anybody ever seen anything like this before?? > Thanks, > Kathleen > "If sense were common, more people would have it." > — Me > ICQ# – 33613577 > **Spam Trap** > Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
"If sense were common, more people would have it." — Me ICQ# – 33613577 **Spam Trap** Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
Response:
Kathleen, John Baron is 19 months old, and does something very similar. (His involves spinning around, jumping and landing on his bottom, then flinging himself back.) I think he’s just in love with the freedom of movement. We’ve got a very hard floor, covered with a thin berber carpet, so he wasn’t getting much cushion for his favorite game. He also accidentally whacked himself a few good ones…the first few times, he slowed down the descent, but he’s gotten right back up to flinging himself around again. He was obviously willing to run the risk of hurting himself every now and then for the benefit of having so much baby fun. I decided there was no way I could get him to stop, so now I keep about four big comforters in the hall closet. When he starts bounding and jumping and flying, I just bring them out and put them all down on the floor for him. He’ll jump on them until he’s tired of the game, and I’m not *so* worried that he’s going to crack himself. Works for us! Amanda, mommy to "danger boy"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Today, Andrew has discovered a new, fun thing to do. He’ll stand up, arch > his back as far as he can so that he’s looking up at the ceiling, then > he’ll lose his balance, sit down, then fall straight back. The first > couple of times he did it, the fall back was in very slow motion, so I > didn’t worry about it. After that, though, he started *really* falling > back and really clocking the back of his head. The last time he did it, he > was over by the front door (where there is not carpet — just wood > flooring), and he hurt himself enough to cry for a good five minutes > (which is unusual unless he’s throwing a tantrum). > Now, I know that I shouldn’t argue with him about it, because he’ll do it > even more if it gets him attention. I also know that he’s doing it on > purpose, because the first few times, he’d giggle like a loon afterwards. > I know some toddlers go through head-banging stages (which Andrew has > not), but has anybody ever seen anything like this before?? > Thanks, > Kathleen > "If sense were common, more people would have it." > — Me > ICQ# – 33613577 > **Spam Trap** > Accentuate the Positive to send e-mail.
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