Dear Mommas, I am torn. My almost 2 year old likes to play with our doors. I have a door stopper, but he likes to swing them. On the one hand, I don't want to limit him. On the other, I don't want him to hurt himself needlessly. ....So, today he banged his head a bit on the edge of the door and it left a long red bump on his forehead.
Question: should I let him experiment/explore motion with the doors, or limit this or stop this?
Thank you in advance for your insight, input, etc.
JIlly
I used to put a dish towel in the crack of the door, right at the top. That way they could play with the door, but couldn't shut it very far. As far as hurting himself needlessly, that's what kids (and IMO, boys) do. He will be a giant walking bruise sometimes. It's ok.
Let him explore. Getting banged up is part of learning.
My son was a natural born climber. He figured out from watching us how to unlock the front door. I was on the third floor folding laundry. He was in the other room so I thought playing. Once I was done with the laundry I called for him. No answer. I checked the third floor. No boy. I called him again. No answer. I checked the second floor and calling him. Still no answer. Now I'm starting to panic. Where can he be? I go down the back stairs, checking the kitchen, dining room and living room. Now I'm panicked. He was just here. Where can he be? I check the front hall and the front door. The hall is clear and the front door open. I run out on the porch, looking for him. No baby boy. I run down the stairs and down the walkway looking up and down the street. My heart is pounding, where is my kid? I'm a nervous wreck but trying to keep a calm head. I go back inside and check for him a second time, still no boy. I'm feeling week in the knees when it dawns on me to check the back yard. I run back out the front door and around to the back and there he is with both of his tonka trucks playing in the yard. I asked him what in the world was he thinking. He said very matter-of-factly that he was just tired of being inside and wanted to play with his trucks outside. He was 3.
Long story short. Don't be panicked if he used the door and leaves, just get a great locking system for the doors so he can't leave when he gets ready.
How much does he like to swing the doors, and how often does he do this? What is his reaction when you stop him?
M.
My son is 10 months old and LOVES to open and close doors. I just keep an eye on him.. and sit there and play WITH him.. so that if he fell i could catch him before he bumped his head on the door. I also hate to limit his exploration throughout the house..and find that just playing with him.. and showing him HOW really helps. He gets so excited when he opens the door and im standing on the other side. it is way too cute. :)
Of course you don't want him to get hurt, but life's lessons sometimes require that we get a little banged up along the way. His love of playing with doors will likely take care of itself. Sometimes trying to restrict them from an activity only makes them want to do it more. - So, encourage exploration while keeping a watchful eye. - btw - that if proof that kids don't need expensive toys to make them happy!!!
