I'm going to lose it...

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Also, the only two rooms she can play in have either drapes or vertical blinds. Small house with lots of natural light means big windows or sliding doors everywhere!

[MrsK]

I had a similar problem with K1 when he was about 10 months. He used to pound on the glass doors to our fireplace and laugh at me when I told him no. I used to remove him and put him in his playpen. Eventually, he got bored with the game and moved on to trying to climb over the gate at the top of our stairs. Stinker.

[Bittersweet]

We went through this. I probably dealt with in a sucky way ... But I stayed right next to DS and let him get it out of his system. I encouraged a gentle touch, kept him safe and showed him how to touch them nicely. He would pet them like a dog and I'd praise the bejeezus out of him for being so gentle. Dh thought i was nuts. But DS was over it in a week tops and I don't think DS has touched them since. YMMV but I wanted throw it out there as an option

[diggitydot]

Or squirt gun.

I've done it. It works just as well with kids as it does dogs or cats.

Yes, my children will be scarred for life.

[alison]

What fit my dd's personality is what has been mentioned already: sitting with her and letting her get it out of her system. Whenever dd knew that something she did garnered a lot of attention (high-pitched voice, firmness, lots of nos in succession), she would do whatever it was as much as she could. When she realized something was no big deal, she'd lose interest.

[Sheherezade]

My kids were in the same camp. I'd either have taken it all down until the interest passed or tried to just let them enjoy it without much fanfare so they stopped the cycle of doing the forbidden thing just for the giggles at Mommy's mad face.

[Pollyanna]

My kids were in the same camp. I'd either have taken it all down until the interest passed or tried to just let them enjoy it without much fanfare so they stopped the cycle of doing the forbidden thing just for the giggles at Mommy's mad face.

Yes this. For me this falls in the early stages of "pick your battles". It's just not worth making an issue out of so remove the temptation of teach her how to manage the temptation. It really becomes the path of least resistance and before you know it the drapes will be a nonissue.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I guess I never really thought of teaching her to be nice to the drapes and I couldn't figure out how to safely ignore it - even though that was what my gut was saying was the solution! Thanks!

[GrayMatterWife]

I vote air horn.

Me, too. Alternately, a rape whistle. Or, to spare your ears: Can't kids hear at higher decibels that adults can't hear? Have you considered a dog whistle?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Me, too. Alternately, a rape whistle. Or, to spare your ears: Can't kids hear at higher decibels that adults can't hear? Have you considered a dog whistle?

Dog whistle. Hmmmm. There's actually a website (and probably an app) for that!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I feel bad for your dog (Lexi?) if you go that route.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I feel bad for your dog (Lexi?) if you go that route.

Funny - I didn't even think of the poor Lexi-dog Although I'm curious now as to her reaction. I'm thinking maybe I can train both of them Von Trapp style!

I went the ignore/gentle touching route yesterday, and she actually walked up to the drapes at one point and then walked away. I sometimes need to tell the teacher in me to STFU. Life with kid(s) is not all about "classroom management". I really do get very wound up about her not doing what she's "supposed" to do.

A baby brag to balance this out: I asked her to put her pjs away after she pulled them out of the laundry basket - and she did it! Thank you music class DH said, "This could revolutionize our household"