15 Month Old, 2 Questions

[DaisyMamma]

I've had this boy since age 4 months. He is spoiled at home, being held the whole time, even now that he can walk.
He walks around whining and miserable all day. He cries at every little thing. Sure he would be happy if I gave him everything he wanted and I held him all day but that's not going to happen, nor have I ever done this with him. So my question is - when will he learn that he doesn't get what he wants and doesn't get held here all day?

The other question I have on him is putting things in his mouth. I tell him at least once every five minutes to take something out of his mouth. He knows its not allowed. He checks to see if I'm looking before he does it. When I tell him to take it out he does. How long before he just stops doing it? Maybe never, his 6 year old sibling either has hair or a piece of her clothing in her mouth all the time!

[Soupyszoo]

I have a dcb same age same problems and it just took a lot of time and consistency and now 7 months later he's lovely! Just don't give in and be very firm. He will catch on eventually. Hopefully!

[SunshineMama]

I've had this boy since age 4 months. He is spoiled at home, being held the whole time, even now that he can walk.
He walks around whining and miserable all day. He cries at every little thing. Sure he would be happy if I gave him everything he wanted and I held him all day but that's not going to happen, nor have I ever done this with him. So my question is - when will he learn that he doesn't get what he wants and doesn't get held here all day?

The other question I have on him is putting things in his mouth. I tell him at least once every five minutes to take something out of his mouth. He knows its not allowed. He checks to see if I'm looking before he does it. When I tell him to take it out he does. How long before he just stops doing it? Maybe never, his 6 year old sibling either has hair or a piece of her clothing in her mouth all the time!

My daughter is just about 17 months and she has been driving me nuts lately with wanting to be held, whining, and putting things in her mouth even though I keep telling her no. I had no issues like this with her older sister and I am not sure how to stop it other than being consistent???

I did put her in time out today for the first time because she hit me (got a warning) and then hit me again. I think she is developmentally able to know that she shoudnt do that, and she sat in time out until I got her.

I am curious to know others answers to this.

[nannyde]

They still **** toys at that age. I don't worry about that. They can **** to their hearts content.

I have two sides of my playroom... and one accomodates ****ing toys. Everything I have on that side can be ****ed and not ruined. They usually outgrow it around 18-24 months. YMMV with a binky ****er or a thumb ****er. Really oral kids will continue it longer.

He is way too old to need an adult to hold him. At my house he would be playing toys indenpendently of an adult. He should pay no nevermind to the adult.

[Lilbutterflie]

I feel for you, I really do. Nothing can wear you down like a child that is whining for much of the day! Best advice I can give is to ignore it and be consistent. I had to give notice recently to a 9 mo old baby b/c she absolutely would not sleep for me and by the end of the day she was miserable and so was everyone else. I had to do it; I just could not listen to her cry any longer. Our days are so peaceful now.

As for putting things in their mouths, IMO it is totally normal for this age. I don't usually discourage it too much at this age. The 16 mo old loves to carry around a clean burp rag and bites down on it every so often; which I allow. He is teething, so I think the rag really helps with that; and it also helps when he has the urge to put something into his mouth.

[DaisyMamma]

Thanks guys!
I thought I might have been prematurely expecting him to stop putting things in his mouth. The fact that he clearly knows is what made me think he shouldn't do it. ill put that off for a good half a year or so then. And ill just keep doing what I'm doing with getting him to play independantly.

[renodeb]

I have a nearly 4 y/o who still mouths stuff! But babies do leave there lives through there mouths as annoying as it is. He will learn ab out the not holding him thing in time. Hang in there!
Deb

[Heidi]

Would you consider giving him something he CAN put in his mouth until he outgrows it? I was thinking a teething toy on a pacifier strap. It will help with the oral thing, but you won't be washing a million things a day. When he puts something else in his mouth, say..."here, bite this", or "here...try this" instead.
Getting his oral "fix" might actually make him less clingy, too. Wierd how that works...

I hate to even say it out load for fear of jinxing you, but just be grateful it's TOYS he wants to put in his mouth...not people parts!

[DaisyMamma]

Yes, he still uses a binky.