Lately, I find myself coining new phrases off my children’s funny or endearing behavior. First, you may remember Too Much “Mommy-ness”, where it’s a constant mommy this or mommy that. Now, I’d like to introduce you to the “Ry-nado” … as in the baby tornado my 15-month old daughter, Ryanne has become. She literally leaves a path of destruction wherever she goes! For example, we will have just cleaned up a room only to turn around and there she is, pulling everything back out again. Sometimes even faster than we can see her doing it.
Her bedroom? … forget it! I tend to be a little anal retentive about certain things and lining books up from tallest to shortest and how far they stick out on the shelf is one of them. No sooner than I have them all back in perfect order on the shelf, she decides she wants to read one … or all! And there she is on the floor surrounded by her books again. And you can’t get mad, because after all, she’s just trying to read, right?? Dinner time – if you don’t catch her right at the exact moment she’s done, blink your eye and all remaining food is on the floor. Followed by the cutest little “all done” sign. So … I’ve invested in a handy little sweeper – you know, the kind they use at amusement parks with the long handled dustpan?? Works fabulously!
I’m sure many of you can relate, but she is SO different than our son was at this age. And funny to me that it’s the girl that’s “out of control” vs the boy. But I must say, she is as cute and sweet as she is “busy”. Her first words were “thank you” (no joke, not mama or dada, but thank you). Her favorite word now? “Uh-oh!” And she is such a little love bug, giving hugs and saying “hi” to just about everyone. She’s 95% happy and when she does decide to get mad, she sure lets you know, but then it’s over as quickly as it began. So if the “Ry-nado” is the only thing we have to deal with, I know I shouldn’t complain. Actually, it makes me laugh … nevertheless it is wearing us out! Any advice??? I certainly don’t want to stifle our pint-size explorer, but I feel like our house is a disaster and we can’ take our eyes off her for one minute.
I know we typically try and provide tips and tricks in our blogs, but this is one instance where I’m turning to our fabulous smarty readers and see what tips and tricks YOU have for an overactive toddler. Should I glue down the books? Feed her dinner in a bubble? Invest in my own personal Doppler radar to know when she’s coming?? Or just embrace her spunk and rest later?
8 comments
I think I have the same kid. Second daughter same age as yours and you just described her perfectly. I too would welcome any advice.
I organize books the same way! And yes, I've long ago admitted I am a bit tightly wound! ;). My daughter does the same thing with her food and all done sign; my SOS always ate every bite! LOL
I have given up on my daughter's room-with all the little toys out. At least she is playing with her toys, right? That's what i tell my husband when he comes home to the mess. i'm trying to learn how to "pick my battles" . Good luck!!!
I hear ya, Tracy, we call my daughter Anna "Josie Grossie" from Never Been Kissed. She not only leaves everything a mess, but she leaves food everywhere! The other day I found a rotten banana peel in the slats at the bottom of my bed. Nasty! We make a joke out of it, but it drives me NUTS. At least I know I am not alone.
My daughter is exactly the same (she is 21 months). The solution that I use for the books is baskets. I put all of the books in pretty baskets and put the baskets on the shelves of the bookcase. My daughter loves to pick up the books and can do it herself when she puts them in the basket. It looks nicely organized on the bookcase shelf too. This has helped for all of my sons' and her books downstairs and my sons' bookcase as well. I also do the same for a lot of the toys and get her involved in cleaning up (which she loves).
I also use baskets for a lot of books. My 20 month old likes to dig thru the baskets to pick out the ones she wants me to read, and then she loves to help "clean up" and put the books back in the baskets. She also loves to throw things in the trash! That is our new game. As for the high chair mess, I admit I just used to call our dogs over to clean up. : ) But, that made me feel lazy, so I just keep an inexpensive small lightweight vacuum close by that I can run easily and quickly. I have found that having a playroom was the best solution (it used to be the room we kept our wine cabinet!). It helps keep her stuff more contained- although sometimes the whole downstairs becomes her playroom!
Ha! I think we should start a support group! My 20 month old son is just like this – although he's less tornado-y and more stealthy in his destruction. When there is silence in the playroom, I know there is an issue. His latest move is to take his shirt off and refuse to put it back – the "redneck baby" look is, of course, complete with his diaper sticking out of his pants. We have lots of baskets around (organized by item, but still just tossed in) as well as 2 train tables with big drawers for cars and books. We also have "his" cabinet in the kitchen with tupperware, paper bags, etc. Funny, though, with all of this done for him, he'd still rather rifle through his sister's art basket and draw on the wall – or comb through drawers in the bathroom for such safe items as tweezers or nail clippers. Sigh.
I hate to say it, but my now 8 1/2 year old daughter was exactly the same way as a toddler. We struggle to this day with the mess she makes in every room in the house. In our house there is usually evidence of my sweet girl in every room! Now that she's older I often make her stop whatever she's doing and come and pick things up right away if I find them dropped on the floor or out of place. I also try to keep her things simple and organized – clothes, books, etc. I think for a child like this too much stuff can be overwhelming. Perhaps you could rotate toys/books and only have a certain amount out at a time. We also use baskets. In front of the fireplace are always seasonal or special books in a pretty basket and they are changed often. I would continue to make her clean up and try to have a "place for everything". I wish I had worked harder on this when mine was younger 🙂 They all have their little quirks, but this one makes lots of extra work for mommy. Good Luck!!!