Rhyl is getting around pretty quickly now, and starting to pull up. We've baby-proofed the house, but it's just not possible to get everything out of her reach. How do I gently but effectively let her know that it's not okay to play with the trash can, dishwasher, outlets, or power button on the computer?

I'm not interested in spanking, hand-slapping, or raising my voice at her. When she's into something she shouldn't be, I tell her a firm "no". Many times she stops what she's doing, but sometimes she just looks at me, smiles, and goes right back to it! The little booger! If she doesn't stop, I say "no" again, and maybe a third time. If she turns away on her own, I praise her and give her attention and affection. If it doesn't work, I just move her. Either way, I remove her from the situation.

I want to make sure that I'm going about this in a way that will work as she gets older, and that I'm not doing something that will backfire big time later on! Any advice would be much appreciated!

I found at that age, the ONLY think I could do is say no, and use distraction, but ensure dangerous things are locked up or moved up high - lots of fun once they start climbing. They just don't get it yet. I did use my "mommy voice" when it was something serious. It did make a difference, but not entirely dependable.

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I would say NO and move them to something else. Sometimes I would need to move them several times but they get the idea. I removed the "trouble" item when possible and kept all the doors shut. Good luck

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I do understand what you are going through! My daughter used to smile at me too! Ugh! Now she is a year old and she understands "No." She went through this biting phase (teething) and when she would get frustrated, because I would be....say on the computer and wouldn't pick her up exactly when she wanted me too...she would bite me. I would grab her little chin in my hand, look her in the eyes, and say, "No!" She would try it again...and I would do the same thing each time. Sure it didn't work at first...but I just kep trying it. It's like a "battle of wills." Who is going to give up first? So I just decided that even if it took some time...i wouldn't be the first to give in. She needs to understand that mommy is serious when she says something. I think that is REALLY important to instill at a very young age!

When it comes to most things w/ my daughter...I sometimes talk to her like she is older...Like telling her no before I knew she understood....and asking her, "Do you want some milk? Do you want a cracker?" I figured it doesn't hurt to start early because eventually she will pick it up. So saying "no" early doesn't hurt.

What I do is just say: "No" so that she knows what she isn't supposed to have. Then take her to something she can have....and change my tone of voice to a voice that she likes and praise her and make that thing look exciting. I think it's really important to change tone because they understand that before words. So my "No's" are really firm and my face doesn't look happy. and my "Yes's" are smiling and my voice is pretty animated. It seems to work so far!

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Distraction worked well for me when I saw them heading for trouble.

When you say "No!" to a baby that age it is impossible for them to determine what they should be doing. Next time you say "No!" pause and then try saying something extra like "That's not okay. But you can help mommy put trash in the trash can." (or whatever applies to what she is getting into) And then lots of praise when she does the thing that you are redirecting her to do.

This can work with older children as well. Mine are 7, 5, and 3. When I say "Please put your shoes on." and they say "No!" back instead of me saying "Yes!" I will say something else like "Which one do you want to put on first, the left or the right?" or "Which pair do you want to wear to the store?" This helps them feel like they have some control and aren't being control. Very important.

Also, when they are about 1 1/2 yr. to 2 yr. start trying to teach them cause & effect things like "No, that was a bad choice, if you do that again you will sit on the naughty chair for 3 minutes!" or "Great job, that was a good choice!" and react accordingly: naughty chair for bad choices and lots and lots of gushy praise and love for good choices. I saw my sister (who has 5 kids) say that to one of her kids way back when, and it changed my whole world!! I had no idea my kids were old enough to know.