"No" and how to make it not funny

[lalaprep]

This might be better for the parenting board, but I only very occasionally head over there, so thought I would ask F14 first. 

DD has just started being very interested in cords. (We are going to have to move her monitor b/c she is obsessed with the cord running down the wall. It is in a corner of her room behind the diaper pail, but her new favorite thing is to go to that corner and mess with the cord...the actual plug is behind furniture, so she can't get to it, but she is obsessed with the little piece that turns it from running vertical to horizontal along the base boards.)


Anyway, when we say no in a serious tone and shake our head she def. looks up and pays attention because of the change in tone, but then she gets a huge smile on her face and laughs, thinking it is a game. We go over and take her hand away and walk her out of the corner and then start playing with something else. Is this just a time thing? Is there something else we need to do or stop doing? 

Any books or articles that have worked or that you like the advice from?  
Thanks!!!

[djtippietoes]

I am of no help but the cord thing is a major issue in our house too.

[HatTrick]

We have the same issue with LO. It is so frustrating. He thinks "no" is hilarious. From my understanding, the only thing you can do is say "no" in a firm voice and re-direct. Or move the problem, so it isn't one.

Also, it helped that our parenting class let us know that most boys have a harder time reading facial expressions, than most girls.

[bepandnick]

We just say no, redirect and baby proof more every day.

[carissalynp]

Well... LO used to laugh. Now he shrieks and throws himself on the floor. Not really an improvement? I'm not sure there's a good answer, we have the same problem with cords, some of them there's not much we can do about. Maybe cord covers would help?

[bmbrinson09]

We have the same issues with no. Lo likes to slap yes in the face or one of the dogs and thinks it's hilarious when we they'll her no. We take her off our lasso or remove her/dog.

[codypup]

I do a "Ehh-ehh-ehh!" like in a loud warning tone that stops her in her tracks. It seems to work better than just saying "no," even if the no is said sternly. I still have to physically redirect her 50% of the time, and it doesn't stop her from going after the same thing the next day, lol. But for some reason, that "eh eh eh" thing works in that moment.

I also always make sure to praise her and/or go back to my normal happy voice once she's moved away from whatever she was trying to get into. Kind of like a...no means no, but mommy still loves you? I guess? I'm just now realizing that I do that.

[LBS2012]

We have the exact same issue.

[lalaprep]

@elf828 THanks for reposting! I missed it last time. That is a good idea, maybe I'll see if we can rework it using the cover.


It seems like we are all in a similar boat, so I'm guessing that this is just toddler being toddler and to just keep at it.

[likethewheels]

For us, it's just been a firm "no", redirection, rearranging, and more baby-proofing until LO loses interest.

[homebrewgirl]

We have the same problem with LO thinking cords are toys and "no" is a game. I've tried to limit "no" for serious things, as T-Lex mentioned, such as safety and biting me. Other things I try "we don't _____." Or "R, that's yucky." The "eh eh" that others mentioned worked great on the pets and I was shocked that LO responds to it as well.
I am definitely going to take T-Lex's advice to physically redirect while saying no. I think I've been saying no, then distracting without really showing him what no means.
Thanks for posting this!

[anji1820]

We struggle with this, too. Part of the problem was that when she laughed when I said no once, it made me laugh. So then she really thought it was funny. Mommy fail. I am going to have to try the "eh eh" sound that PP's have mentioned.

[vshumway]

Not only does LO laugh when we say "no", but she also shakes her head no and laughs when doing something she knows she shouldn't. I think it's just an age thing!

[boogerbear]

My LO will repeat Noooooooo with a nice long o sound. It's really adorable but not at all helpful lol.

We try, like tLex, to save no for big things and work more on simple redirection. I will also generally explain why I'm moving LO away, so in the cord example I'd say something brief like "cords aren't safe to play with, let's go play with your piano". It's mostly a habit from LO1, since he does a lot better complying with rules if he understands why he can/cannot do something but I think it helps since they can understand everything you say at this point.