So is there a solution? It use to be as long as I had the chairs pushed in, they couldn't get on them. But not anymore!
They just push those chairs away, and within seconds they are on top of my table.
If safety weren't a factor, I'd let them live on top my table!
This little girl is like a whirlwind dynamo! She is NON STOP BUSY.
And while nurturing may not come naturally to her brother...
And he may not look good in a dress...
And he undoes his velcro straps because he prefers criss cross.
He does this himself!
And while cooking may not be his forté.
And the cuteness? As far as this Grandma's concerned, it's a toss up!
I wonder if there is such a thing as an elastic stretchy rope that would fit around the back of all those chairs?
22 comments:
Yes, Austin is in this phase and he is FEARLESS! I wish I had the solution, he's always getting up on the counter. But he is a lot of fun at the park=) I can't believe how fast they grow. Babies no more, those twins are such adorable toddlers now.
Jill, check your email. I have news!
Oh, remove the chairs to a room they can't get to.
such a tough call when they are both so adorable! xox
Natalie~ When I see Austin on your blog I always think of the twins since they are about the same age.
Darlene~ If I can't think of anything else, that is what I will have to do. But I'm really trying to think of something else so I don't have to carry all those heavy chairs out.
When my oldest two were both little the chairs would live on top of the table when we weren't actually sitting down. It was a pain in the neck but it kept them off the table (and the refrigerator--but that is a whole other story)
Jill...lay the chairs down on their backs and push them under the table then get a bungee cord and tie the legs together under the table. We did that with Josey and she couldn't pull them out to climb up on the table...she was, and still is a climber. Sometimes you have to get pretty creative.
Cynthia~ Kind of like how I put the garbage can on the counter when the twins come over? Hmmmm, I wonder if those chairs would even fit on the top of my table. I'm trying to remember if I did that when my boys were small.
Just keep telling them "no". They will eventually get it.
I have not a clue. They are just too cute and I doubt I could tell them no.
Jonas is a good sport for wearing dresses.
I love the criss cross shoes. If the kiddos, like my Whit and Michael, were 4...there would be timeouts and a little more discipline used until they "got it"...but telling the twins like I tell Whit and M...is IMPOSSIBLE. So I just remove...well, everything. And I mean everything. It's different for you because this isn't their primary home...but if they visit alot, until they "get it"...I'd just remove all the chairs into a room and close the door when you know they are coming. And then put a child lock on that door. And then duck tape the child lock on the door. OR we use folding chairs, which like I said isn't practical because they aren't always at your house...BUT...if you want kind of a ghetto fabulous idea...my cousin has 7 kids and she bought one of those ropes that cinch...like the kind they use on semis??? And after every meal she tucks in all the chairs and then wraps the rope around the outside and then cinches it...if you knew the ropes they use on the semis, you'll know what I'm talking about. Their table has been used and abused though. I think if anyone did this too many times, it might make some marks on the places that it's tightened. Anywho...that's all I've got. Well, that's all I can think of. Let's hope they outgrow this soon...like I'm hoping my kids do too! :)
Mom of the 3 Jennes~ I like the rope idea...something I can sort of tie the chairs up around, but I didn't know where to look. Now that you mention semis..I will go to the hardware store and ask about those. I don't even care if the roping wears out the table and chairs.
Rebecca~ Saying no just might work with Jonas, but not with his sister. I had no problem saying no to my kids, but I'm not sure I can do it with my grandchildren. I can be a total pushover with them.
Ammy~ I tried lying my chairs down but they are too big and my table too small. Maybe it would work better with an oval or oblong table?
Being moms really brings out the creativity doesn't it? I love it!
Thank you so much for all your ideas. If you think of anymore, please let me know!
I say we just use the table and chairs for firewood and eat our meals on the floor. Simple !
-Den
PS If you really want a rope, I'll get you one.
I love all this creative thinking !! Hello Richard, where are your Words of Wisdom?
Try this: put a toy, book, etc. in each chair to 'distract' from the urge to climb.
For a variation to "NO!!" which I used(regrettably) plenty with my children but hardly ever with my grandchild (first time was at least age 4), I would turn it into a positive statement. I used reasoning such as chairs and sofas are for sitting, beds are for sleeping (not jumping on), tables are for placing of food; now let's go outside to climb on the climbing cube.
Second thought. Just stand by the table all day. Think of the exercise you'll get and the savings in gym memberships. Little "Jilly" will grow up before you can blink.
Den~ YES please do get me a rope. Can you bring pick one up on the way home from work today?
Anonymous~ Very creative about putting something on each chair. Téa would just knock it off & keep climbing, but it might work with her brother. In another 6-12 months it may work for both of them. (Or make that another 18 months when they are 3)
Robin~ I do get a work out when they are over. But you are right, as a Grandma I know how this time is fleeting. I love it all.
I say fix the problem the old fashioned way and put them in the back yard and lock the door...and just give them one shirt to share, that will keep them entertained for hours.
My first thought is to throw a sheet over the table & encourage under the table activities! Kids love to invent & pretend! They obviously need diversion activities! They make cute little pop up tent, houses, cars like my walking stick (tent style rubberband lock in place thingy's)....I guess grandkids keep grandma honey's mind sharp & stimulated cuz you're having to be ONE STEP ahead of 'em if you want to keep everyone HAPPY! Those are for sure the CUTEST set of twins ever!
It may be very tiring and frustrating but I'm with Rebecca in just saying "no". These young toddlers seem to be ruling the world in making us conform to them instead of them learning the rules like being told "no". You may have to stand there all day to let them know that you mean "no". The only other comment I have is that these twins just keep getting cuter and cuter :-)))
Wish I had some advice, but I don't. My daughter climbs on the chairs all the time, luckily not on the table. The twins are super cute though!!
This is Alicia (Nanette Brinton's niece)and I have twins that are two. I have finally trained them to not climb on the table (most of the time) but we had problems with the barstools (the sink is on the counter with the barstools). For awhile we stuck these big fluffy pillows on the barstools so they couldn't climb on top, then they learned how to pull them off, then the barstools went on top of the counter which drove me nuts. Now, they are in the other room. One of the twins is a big climber (we now have a crib tent) and it is a struggle every day. I wish I could let them climb but I worry about falling etc. Good luck.
Lisa~ Great idea about turning the table into a tent to play under. I just thought of that right before your comment! :) Then Den brought a rope home and he tied the chairs all up to the table. The test will be tomorrow when the twins come over!
Amy~ I guess climbing is all part of the territory, right?
Alicia~ Oh, that's right...climbing out of their cribs will be next! That is the stage that is REALLY hard. So do you have boy/girl twins?
Give Jonas a super 'prize' for not climbing on the table. Reward him for his great listening skills. The reward should be something that Tea would really desire so she will follow the rules.
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