Saying no to toddler without saying no can be phrased in exactly the same way with equally good results. However, an added secret is a little trick that’s great to set boundaries for toddlers, especially concerning a safely hazard. I learned this from a dog obedience book (don’t judge me until you’ve heard how good this idea is.
)Here’s the secret: Don’t discipline the child. Discipline the object you want them to stay away from. For example, our son used to love touching the fireplace when he was little. Of course we didn’t want him touching it even if it wasn’t lit. Telling him “no” and moving him away repeatedly didn’t work. We didn’t want to resort to yelling, smacking his hand or spanking, so we yelled at the fireplace. (I know it sounds crazy, but it does really work!)
When your child goes near the thing you don’t want her to have access to without your permission, you must completely ignore them. (But make sure they see you yell at the object.) Do not even make eye contact as you walk to the forbidden object. Then, putting your full attention on the object, smack it with your hand repeatedly and shout, “Bad Fireplace! (or whatever the object is) Bad, Bad, Bad Fireplace! No, no, no, no, no!” Then walk away. Your child will not want to go near the thing that receives so much of your negativity and disapproval. AND how great that those tender, innocent little ones won’t come to think that THEY are the object of your anger and disapproval.
