My 16 month old son.....?

As a mother of three (they are now 13, 10 and 7), I have been there and done that...to answer your first question, you can actually buy child-safe electrical outlet plates to replace your current ones. When you unplug something, it slides closed and you have to know how to slide it back in order to plug something back in (I've listed a website I found one on so that you know what I'm talking about, but I'm sure I bought mine at Wal-Mart or Sears or somewhere like that).

To help with your second question - I guess giving him the sugar free juice is better than the sugary stuff, but if you can break him of the "sweet" habit now, you'll save yourself alot of grief in the future. I would try watering down his sugar free juice, gradually adding more water every few days until it's more water than juice.

Just because juice doesn't have added sugar, it does not mean there is no sugar. Fruits have a LOT of frutrose- which is a natural sugar. It is in every fruit juice.

You can give your child 1-2 sippies with juice, but mix it 50/50 with filtered water. Otherwise go with milk or water in the cup.

As for the plugs- my oldest was the same way with them. He could pry out the covers and wear them like vampire teeth. I just kept almost everything unplugged and out of his reach, then covered the outlets with blank faceplates. Or, with some I got the faceplates where you had to slide the lock to expose the plug. Last, for ones I could not unplug at all I got the large boxes where it covers the whole outlet.

The best option is to limit his exposure and keep a constant eye on him.

Really, this is something only you can answer. Think of the work having a puppy is going to entail. Walks, feeding, getting up in the night to let it out to pee, vet trips, socialisation, training, housebreaking... all take time and effort. It is up to you to decide whether you could cope with this AND a rambunctious toddler - and potentially more children too. If you can genuinely cope, go ahead and get the puppy. If you know you cannot, then it is perfectly within your right to not get one until you and your family are ready. But please don't be one of those misguided fools who think they can cope with a cute little puppy and a baby, then realise they can't and dump the puppy in a shelter within 6 months. Nobody wins in a situation like that, least of all the dog. DO YOUR THINKING NOW, not six months down the line. Bare in mind that most shelters and reputable breeders do not house a puppy in a home with very young children. I think they have a point. Don't know where UHaveToBe has got 9 years old from. If a family has sensible children, there is no reason why a shelter or reputable breeder would not sell them a dog - even if they have children under the age of 9. 16 months is very young though.

There are differnt types of plug coverings..the ones that you simply just put in the outlet are actually not safe at all...as a few toddlers have choked opn them.

Go to the hardwear store to get a better covering. It will cost more...but will be so much safer then those simple plug in ones.

he is at the age of wanting to discover...he knows he can take out the plug on the outlets now, and sees you get an reaction...what motivation for him to keep on doing it!!

he does'nt understand why it is dangerous..just that he can do it.

for the other questions, even sugar free juices can be harmful if you give him too much in day. try to limit it to 2 cups day...offer him milk, and good ol water when he is thirsty.

They have outlet protectors that only adults can operate, not just the little plastic covers. Give him a very firm "NO! that will hurt you" and move him away every time. He's probably a little young to understand time out, but distractions should work. As far as the sugar free juice goes, if it's 'light' it probably contains artificial sweetener, which is not good. If it's just 100% juice, about 8 oz a day is a good limit. Try half water half juice in his cup.

A lot of kids do this. Best thing is to place some cut up Vinyl tile over the sockets (the plastic socket frame adheres well to the plastic vinyl tile backing for some reason). Hard for him to pull off, but easy for you when he is older.

Do NOT give him juices with splenda, etc. These sugar-substitutes are bad. Try buying whole-food juices and then water them down a bit.

All the best.

I guess at 16 months you just need to keep a good eye on him and whenever he goes near the outlets tell him "no that is for mommys (and daddys')" "No touch" "Owee"...eventually he'll learn. I think he is just trying to get your attention...I dont know any other suggestions, usually the child safety things arent that easy to get out. are your lose? maybe try to invest in new ones? just a suggestion

as for the juice. no it is fine to give him sugar free juice. If you are that worried about it then water it down a lot. Dont give him juice before nap or bed. because this could cause erosion to teeth.

they make outlet covers that actually turn when you unplug something. that way he could not plug it back in. also, maybe you could just water the juice down a bit.

I would say 100% fruit juices are ok. As far as the outlets you just have to keep an eye on the baby. I cant think of any products on the market to keep a kid from the electric sockets. Maybe you can find some plastic plugs that fit tighter so he can't get to them. I hope this helps.

I always assume anything labeled "sugar free" is bad for the body, there are probably artificial sweeteners in it like aspartame. Give him organic juices.