Setting boundaries in our home with our toddler

How we set boundaries in our home for our baby / toddler.

Iv always liked my décor. Silver candles, faux flowers and Disney momentums but I thought as soon as my child came apart of our family and our home I would have to put away all these things, super baby proof every inch and leave nothing but a blank home with a few toy scattered on the floor. This thankfully isn’t the case for me. I was able to set clear boundaries for my son so our home becomes a safe environment for him but also a beautiful one. Here are some things we have done. 

Don’t say no, no, no: 
I found shouting ‘no!’ or ‘stop!’ all the time really frustrates a toddler. I mean how would you feel if you were being shouted like that when you entered any room in your home. So when I find that something is unsafe in the home of something is fragile that I don’t want my child to touch, I simply ask them not to touch it and clearly explain why I don’t want them to touch it. E.g: “Forrest, could you please not touch the photo frame? If you touch it and it falls on the floor it might break and the broken glass might give you an owie” Iv found explaining this very effective. Also showing respect for your items is a good thing to do, your child will observe you taking care of your things and will most likely do the same.

Don’t have everything off limits:
What I found very helpful was telling my child very clearly what items he can not touch but then allowing him to touch and explore other items in the same area. For example, at the moment on our coffee table we have a vase with faux flowers, a candle and a glass bird, these items have have asked my child not to touch but then telling him he may have a look at the photo album we also have on the coffee table. After allowing him to have an alterative item he is happy and does not feel like everything is off limits. He is now 20 months old and never even tries to touch the fragile items he just goes straight to the photo album or coffee table book and enjoys looking at them. 

I apply this method in every room of the home. Another example is the kitchen. I don’t allow my child to open up all the cupboards and draws in the kitchen but I do have one large draw low down that has all of my child/s bowls and cups etc. and I allow him to go into this draw when ever he pleases and explore as he wishes. Again since doing this my toddler does not even attempt to open another other draw except his and I can tell on his face the excitement when he opens his own special draw and select his bowl/ plate for his meal.

Baby proofing the hazardous areas:
I’m still definitely in for baby proofing the unsafe and hazardous areas of the home and believe me when I had my newborn I went overboard in the baby shop. I bought baby gates, cupboard locks, corner protectors, fridge locks and even a toilet lock etcetera, etcetera, all of which I have never needed to use.
In our home I have baby proofed the power outlets, iv moved all the chemicals and medication into a high out of reach cupboard, kept any sharp objects out of sight and reach, mounted furniture to the walls, I ensure there are never any chocking hazards lying around and placed door stops on the doors to save those little fingers. I have assessed the hazards and dealt with them to keep my home safe for my toddler. I feel this is a must for every house hold with children.

Having a safe play space where your child has no limitation:
If your able, I think its great to have a play room for your toddler. If you have an extra living room or a theatre room you could turn that into a play space for your child. In our home we renovated our patio into a play oasis for Forrest. This room is filled with toys for imaginary play (play kitchen), physical play (ball pit) educational play (Puzzles and educational toys) and quiet play (books). I feel its important to allow your child to be able to access any sort of play activity they feel with fulfil there growing mind or particular schemer they are in. This play space will allow them to play as free as they wish and not be worried about being disrupted by anything. 

So there you have it those are the simple things I do to keep my home child safe but still homely with all the things you love. I hope you can implement these tips into your homes and have success in doing so.
Good luck mums!
-Mummy R xx

*for home tour and my home décor tips head to my pinterest- Mrs Alexandra, search (peppernpiper)  x 

https://www.pinterest.com.au/peppernpiper/

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