I Need A Place To Put This Kid!

[crazydaycarelady]

He is a small 18mo who has been in my care for 6 weeks. He is VERY busy pretty naughty and doesn't listen. I have been watching him like a hawk but I am getting weary. When he is awake he does things like pulls all the toilet paper off the roll and pushes small babies over, grabs the sign in sheets and scribbles all over them, eats crayons, rips the kids projects while they are trying to work.

I have a play yard gate type thing. He can get out in 2 seconds. Naptime would be my salvation but he can get out of a pak-n-play in a nano second. Today I resorted to putting him in the exersaucer but he got out of that too. I do not have a high chair but I need a place to confine this child at times.

I know "confine" is politically incorrect - but replace me with any other person, have them spend a whole day with this child, and they will be looking for a means to confine him too. Even when he is right next to me he is rotten - pulling babies out of the chair, etc.

Help me - he is wearing me out! I cannot get rid of him either. I have his older sister who is great and also they paid me for the whole semester upfront so I would have to give them a BIG refund!

[familyschoolcare]

Hugs to you. I have no ideas for you. Other than to say you are not trying to confine him but rather ensure his safety while you fix luch, go pretty, change a diaper ect ect.

[countrymom]

I have the same issue but its the crying that accompanies the naughtiness.

[daycarediva]

I would invest in a high chair with wheels. YIKES! Have you talked to the parents? Even at this age his behavior sounds extreme.

[Heidi]

I have an 18 mo that has the same personality, only he's a big guy. He ever so innocently walks up to the cruisers and "oops" pushes them right over. :confused:

I just shadow him, and he goes home before nap, precisely BECAUSE he "doesn't nap" and "climbs out of his crib" at home. He will NOT be offered a full time spot!

[EchoMom]

I don't have any ideas other than what you've already mentioned. But don't feel bad, they MUST be confined at times for their safety. I put 2 year olds in their PNPs sometimes when I need everyone to just take a break for 20min. so I can regroup mentally, nurse my DS, shut down escalating behavior, etc. They won't die or suffer just by being contained for a period of time. I guess if the superyard doesn't work, then baby gates won't keep him in a certain room or space??

[crazydaycarelady]

Maybe I do need to get a high chair. I am guessing he'd get out of it too though.

His family describes him as "busy." I know he is young but I am thinking there might be some kind of issue though. It is not the way they are parented because his 3yo sister is fine.

[Crystal]

Keep his hands busy. Play Dough, sand play, drawing. And sometimes, you can put him in the high chair to do those things. ( although it has worked with toddlers here using the preschool table and chairs.....they feel like a big kid and WANT to sit at the table. )

Good luck.

[mom2many]

I have an 18 mth old that is just like this!...he is constantly on the go and always looking for mischief! He keeps me on my toes and I try to never let him out of my sight. If I do need to leave the room, my ears are keenly listening to his little footsteps and what he might be doing! I have an open floor plan, so I can usually keep my eyes on him without any problem. I've watched him for 2 mths now, so it has gotten easier...or I have just finally gotten smarter and anticipate his every move! ::::::His latest caper was emptying the box of kleenex, while I was changing a diaper...my fault for leaving it where he could reach it, but none the less a mess! He's the same size as the 3 yo I watch, so it makes it tricky finding places high enough he can't reach!

I have been doing as Crystal suggested and keeping his little hands busy! I always strap him into the booster seat while painting, coloring or playing playdough, so I can clean him up before he gets down. He loves activities like this and it helps to keep him occupied doing fun things that I can control and supervise and he isn't just looking for things to get into all of the time!

Good Luck to you!

[Meyou]

I have an 18 mth old that is just like this!...he is constantly on the go and always looking for mischief! He keeps me on my toes and I try to never let him out of my sight. If I do need to leave the room, my ears are keenly listening to his little footsteps and what he might be doing! I have an open floor plan, so I can usually keep my eyes on him without any problem. I've watched him for 2 mths now, so it has gotten easier...or I have just finally gotten smarter and anticipate his every move! ::::::His latest caper was emptying the box of kleenex, while I was changing a diaper...my fault for leaving it where he could reach it, but none the less a mess! He's the same size as the 3 yo I watch, so it makes it tricky finding places high enough he can't reach!

I have been doing as Crystal suggested and keeping his little hands busy! I always strap him into the booster seat while painting, coloring or playing playdough, so I can clean him up before he gets down. He loves activities like this and it helps to keep him occupied doing fun things that I can control and supervise and he isn't just looking for things to get into all of the time!

Good Luck to you!

This reminded me of the spring when I was dealing with my DCG who was a busy body and 16-18 months at the time. I forgot to close the diaper cupboard all the way and turned my back to help someone. In less than 60 seconds she had emptied all the diapers and a large amount of wipes into a huge pile on the floor. I turned and said her name and she smiled sweetly, grabbed one last wipe from the container and tossed it in the air. It was so saucy, funny and frustrating all at the same time. :: She's 22 months now and much better.

Her favorites (at the table to keep busy) were barrel of monkeys, pom poms, feathers and sensory bottles, especially sparkly ones.

[DBug]

This is why my playroom is completely childproofed. There's nothing in there that I wouldn't want the kids to play with. Kleenex is up out of reach, there are no curtains to swing on, blinds are pulled up, and gates are up. I have a small house so I can keep a close eye on the kiddos while I'm making lunch or whatever.

At that age, I just wouldn't allow dcb access to anything I didn't want him to play with. My own boys were the same unless I had the tv on .

For my current "unpredictable" dcb, I put him in a booster seat with seat belt at the table if I need to. That's where he sits at naptime too, since he doesn't sleep. Yes, he has managed to push himself in the chair across the kitchen floor, but he isn't able to get into anything that would hurt himself or others.

Good luck! These ones will keep you on your toes!!

[DaisyMamma]

Just remind yourself that he could grow out of it :confused:
Maybe reconsider accepting semester long payments??? ...just a thought.

There's nothing wrong with putting him in a high chair and giving him some toys for 20 minutes here and there while you cook lunch, change diapers, go to the bathroom, etc etc. It really is for his safety as well as others.

I have these and LOVE them. They fit right at the preschool table without the tray so that the little kids, or busy kids, can sit with everyone else.

[DBug]

I have these and LOVE them. They fit right at the preschool table without the tray so that the little kids, or busy kids, can sit with everyone else.

So cute!! But I have to give OP a heads-up -- I had something similar for two of my squirrelly kids. They can walk around with them strapped to their backsides . OP, you may want to borrow one or at least keep the receipt to make sure that a similar seat will actually keep them safely in one place .

[bluemoose_mom]

So cute!! But I have to give OP a heads-up -- I had something similar for two of my squirrelly kids. They can walk around with them strapped to their backsides . OP, you may want to borrow one or at least keep the receipt to make sure that a similar seat will actually keep them safely in one place .

This made me laugh to picture it! I have a little dcb who I believe, based on how he is now, will be the one to do this.

Thanks for the laugh.

[E Daycare]

Duct tape and Velcro wall. I think every daycare should have those things

I kid of course

Do you have a stroller with a 5point harness. I know they can rock it and try and tip it over but wedge it close to the wall maybe? Just till you get a high chair maybe? I don't know really. I have a Maclaren that has a harness in it that my kid couldn't undo but some others maybe quick to learn.

GOOD LUCK!