My 22Mo Old Daughter Gets into Everything!!!

Ugh. Be happy it's just one into everything! Right now, my almost 23 month old girl/boy twins are obnoxious and into EVERYthing. With my 1st daughter, we didn't even own a gate or a childproof door handle. We had picture frames out, candles, plants, whatever. She'd walk up to them, look, say "pretty" and never touched them! Now we're on total lockdown. First it was just my twin boy that was into everything, but now it's my girl. If it's on the counter and she sees it, she'll slide a kitchen chair over to climb up and get it! She makes the biggest mess (along with twin bro) and stops at nothing to get what she wants. Now she gets things out of the garbage. The other day, she was shredding a dirty paper towel she somehow snuck out of the trash. And whenever she's done eating, she literally whips her plate off to the side...nothing like applesauce on the wall, cabinets, floor, etc. We do timeouts for the "bad" things - like throwing food. But for getting into stuff, please, we'd be in timeout all day long, and I've got 2 of them. It's like one is distracting me while the other goes after my stuff. Getting stuff she's not supposed to have does become a game. In the last 2 weeks, I've been on a mission to be super consistent with her and hopefully break the habit. I've been watching her as closely as I can. As soon as she goes after something or gets into something, I walk over quickly (running would encourage the "game" with mine), pick her up firmly, and redirect her to toys. I just say, "Let's play with blocks" or something. So far, we've all noticed that she's really getting into less. It hasn't stopped entirely, but now 1/2 the time, instead of having to go get her and redirect, I can just tell her, "That's Mommy's. Let's read your book." Or "No climbing. Let's go hide." Once she has a little attention and an age-appropriate distraction, she seems to forget about going after all our stuff. I think the real appeal in it all before was that we were constantly trying to stop her...making her only want everything more. By the way, before she didn't want ANY of her toys, but now that I've gotten down on the floor with her to start her playing, she will play with them on her own.

My son is the same age and children at this age are so curious about grown up "real" stuff. He rarely plays with his toys. I make sure all the dangerous things or other things he shouldn't touch are not within his reach. I leave a cabinet in the kitchen open and accessible to him to play with pots and pans, wooden spoons, etc. Our house looks very different with a toddler around - no candles, picture frames, etc down low, but who cares, it is so cool to see him exploring his environment and learning every day.
I think time outs at this age feel more like a game than a punishment and I personally don't find them to be very successful in managing behavior. I'd suggest just putting everything you don't want your little one to touch up high and keeping her occupied with other activities like walks outside, stories, etc. Good luck.

Maybe make a little container that has just "her things" in it. Fake make-up (all plastic kind), play jewelry, etc.) Safe stuff that is just hers to mess up. I have twins and they get into everything as well - so hang in there and this too will pass. They are four, but I have a container that has washable markers in it and safety scissors. When they come into my office, they can only use those things. However, when no adult around, they are not allowed in the office.

I have three children also and my 22 month old is also the worst. I have now had to resort to "time-outs". She has gotten to the point where I say time-out and she stops what she is doing.

My son is 16 mo. old and he does the same thing. It's irritating I know, but it's a way of getting your attention... kind of like a " look what I can make mommy do! " type of deal. Just keep calm... continue to be diligent in redirecting her attention, and eventually she will grow tired of it once she figures out she isn't getting a rise out of you anymore. There is no need for a "time out" because she isn't misbehaving... to her, it's a game. She doesn't know the difference yet, and to discipline her for it is only going to confuse her more. I'd suggest that when she gets into things she isn't supposed to be in, simply tell her "you know your not supposed to play with those things. Help mommy put them back" and make a game out of it. Works for my son.

All you can do is lock it all away and wait......