Oh Plug

Little Bean is already developing some rather "challenging" behaviour.

In the evenings before bedtime, we often have some chill time on the bed with him between us, and Bean rolls around, flops about, prods us with his stubbly little finders, or climbs on us. But recently, Bean has discovered the plug. [cue dramatic music]

Said plug is situated directly above the bed, and is already equipped with a baby safety plug so there is no real danger of him sticking his finger in. However, not wanting him to learn to play with electrical outlets, we still don't want him to touch it.

The problem now is that his parents not wanting him to touch it has turned into a game in his little though persistent mind. He knows that he isn't allowed to touch it and that every attempt will be met with attention, so he now scrambles up over the pillows and heads straight for the plug at every opportunity. As he approaches it, hand extended, he turns to look at us... and smiles... the little nonsense!

This is a great example of negative attention reinforcing poor behaviour. The more we say "no", and I have tried giving his had a tap to discourage it, the more it has become a game.

So the next stage? Remove the little mischief from the area whenever he gets into the vicinity... and wait for the novelty to wear off ...we hope.