Help, my son is driving me crazy! He is constantly going into the fridge!!! I know all kids do this and my daughter did too but he loves going in there. It isn't just when he is hungry either. He likes to take the cap of the gallon of milk and put it in his mouth, which obviously freaks me out. He has magnificent senses or something because even when I discreetly slip into the bathroom to "powder my nose" he goes right to the fridge and starts getting into things.
Today he broke and egg on the floor (second time). We have been telling him no with a stern voice while looking him in the eye. We all have also been using distraction techniques but whenever he knows we can't see him he goes to the fridge. We were thinking about getting a fridge lock. Any input would be great!!!!
I had the same problem with my son. He was always sneaking in the fridge and many times would make a huge mess. I put a child lock on it and eventually and to get a chime that hung above the kitchen door that would go off when he went into the kitchen
Hi M.,
There are a couple of things you can try that might work for him. When you need to leave the room as you mentioned, put him in a play pen for those few moments with a couple of his favorite toys.
You could also put a safety lock on the fridge. It would be something similar to what you might put on kitchen cabinets or drawers. Just make sure that it's high enough he can't reach it!
They make a child safety lock for fridge. I'd say get one of those, then just keep on with the "no no", etc.. But with the safety lock, he can't get it open period....then eventually he'll just quit trying.. Good Luck (:
hi there!
honestly i have the same problem with my 2 girls! they are 2 1/2 and 4 1/2. they are constantly in the cupboards and the fridge!
Is it possible for you to put a gate up in the kitchen? that's what we have done and it has worked wonderfully! you could also try buying a fridge lock they have them at walmart and k-mart. hope this helps!
I would get a fridge lock. Save you some headache and after a while of him being unable to open the fridge, maybe it will sink in that it isn't his play space. :) Although, with my daughter, for the first couple of days I had a swinging monkey on the handle! Oh, and I wouldn't put him in a play pen when you step out of the room. Not at his age. He is at an age that he is learning what is okay and what isn't and if he isn't allowed to test and just stuck in a safety pen, he isn't going to learn. And if yours is like mine, there is no way he would just sit there and play! lol.
Get an appliance lock. They are cheap and easy to use.
I think I saw a fridge door safty latch at Target on clearance for like 3.00 $ Maybe that would help. I know that The Right Start also has some really cool safty stuff
Hi, M.. Aren't they adorable when they're so strong-willed? Wait until he becomes a teenager!
Have you tried the appliance locks that are sold in the child safety section of your local hardware store? They're also available online and I believe a prominant company is Safety First. That way, only someone tall enough can unlock the refrigerator and have access and your 2-year-old will have to find another outlet for his battle of the wills with you. I highly recommend the fridge lock and your 8-year-old will still be able to operate it and have access to the fridge.
By the way, I am a proud mom to a 145-year-old son, 13-year-old step-daughter, 11 1/2-year-old daughter, and 1-year-old daughter so I am a bit familiar with this subject.
I would get him his own fridge, something from Little Tikes or the like. Put all the pretend foods that go with it and tell him it is his and he can play with it whenever he wants, but the real fridge belongs to Mommy. Locking him out keeps him safe etc, but doesn't teach him boundaries and that no means no. This works with Christmas Tree ornaments too, if he has his own he won't bother yours.
Dear M., why don't you get one of those refrigerator locks from Toys R Us? They are not expensive. If one does not work, try two. Or go online for more sophisticated ones if he can manipulate the easy ones. they make harder ones for special-needs kids, I think. K..
We went through the same thing with our now 8 yr old daughter and our three yr old son lol! It's funny now that its over but whenever I went down to do laundry my daughter would get in the fridge and she threw not only one but a whole dozen eggs across the kitchen and when I thought I was punishing her by making her help to clean it up she thought it was soooo fun! We purchased an appliance lock from Safety first and that stopped them from getting in there until they were old enough to understand. The appliance lock runs about $2-$3 and saves a lot of heartache. I also put one on the oven even though it said not to and it worked well there. (Just don't let him see how it works :) Just wanted to let you know your not the only one and when you look back on it as they grow and the problems become much more complex, it will become funny to you too I'm sure.
Oh yeah - I had to put locks on both my freezer & fridge because my 2 year old son had "spidey-sense" too. Walmart has some for around $2 each. Wish you luck!
Dear M.,
Definitely get the fridge lock! A little baby-proofing can make a huge difference, and bring peace-of-mind to everyone. And it would be nice for your son too, because you won't be constantly having to tell him "no".
Good luck!
L.
I'd do the fridge lock. Sounds like he's a very curious little guy and nothing else seems to be detouring him from the refrigerator.
Try the rectangular cabinet locks if you have any handle on your fridge to freezer like i do. I works wonders.
Good luck Safety first makes them.
C. S.
Thankfully, my son (17 months) hasn't figured out he can do it on his own yet, but I fear it is soon too. He loves to go in there as soon as he sees it open though. I do know they have child proof latches you can buy for refrigerarots. I haven't tried one yet, so I don't know how well they work. But, I think you are better off just trying to find a way to keep it latched then to keep steering him elsewhere. Once he finds that he can't open it, he probably won't even try anymore. That is what happened with my son with the cupboards. He doesn't even try to go in them now that they are latched.
