A note about children wanting something they are not supposed to have

You reported that you are struggling with your child wanting things you do not want him/her to have. Young children do not yet understand what they should and should not play with. They want to touch everything they see so they can learn about it. They do not know when something is dangerous or breakable. Because of this, it is best to keep things they cannot play with out of sight. Put dangerous things in locked cabinets or in rooms they don't play in. Have safety covers for electrical outlets and have electrical cords behind furniture. Actually, ignoring your child's interest in outlets (while watching from the corner of your eye) reduces their interest in this rather boring feature. Put things that are breakable in a room he/she doesn't play in (maybe your bedroom?). Keep lots of things your child can play with at his/her level. You can have baskets with toys on the floor for him/her. You can also have a cabinet in the kitchen that you keep unlocked with safe things for your child such as plastic cups, a rubber spatula, plastic bowls, and maybe even pots and pans with wooden spoons for drumming. Keeping your child busy with things he/she can have will make him/her less interested in things he/she cannot have. Try to offer an alternative quickly when your child wants something that is not okay. If the main situation of demanding is in stores, plan ahead to buy something acceptable (or bring something with you) at the beginning of shopping. Alternatively, be clear that nothing is going to be bought, do not continue to discuss it and do not give in.