How do you tell your toddler NO

I dont really like using the term NO offen.

In this house we say DONT TOUCH.

DD has started getting into the fridge/freezer/cupboards. Kiddy locks are soooo expensive and we would need quite a few for our cupboards, because ours are all low we cant move bowls, cups higher out of her way.

Is there anything you say or do with our toddler when they are getting into things? Ive tried not to move to much around with having a baby, but she just doesnt listen when it comes to cupboards & fridge & thinks its a big game.

I'm an oldfashioned parent and just say NO. No reasons or explanations etc as I found that the more I talked the faster they lost interest. Doesn't work for everyone just what works in this family.

As for cupboards. Hair ties and rubber bands around knobs are an inexpensive quick fix for round knobs or a ruler thru bar knobs. This one works a bit for a short time but they soon figure it out. Sometimes it is easier to do these sorts of things rather than constantly telling them not to touch. With my first it was a simple no or don't do it and she listened. For the next two I could have been talking to the moon. lol.

I haven't had bubs yet, but I know with my nephew it's 'Not for Liam' rather than a straight out 'no' - using his name gets his attention... also a LOT of it is to do with the right tone of voice.

I dont say no because it seems like such a harsh word, Dont touch seems a bit nicer.

If i do say NO Taylah just says NO back so it doesnt really achieve anything.

We dont have knobs we have those long hangles, i put a piece of timber down the draws so she cant get them open.

I try not to use no as it seems like that's all I say sometimes! And although she can't talk yet, we were getting the head shake (no) all the time! We now go with 'don't touch', 'not for Taylor' or 'leave it please'

We have the 'proper' kiddie locks on the kitchen cupboards - which she does know how to use in theory, she's just not dexterous enough to work. We were using a rubber band on other cupboards, but she learned pretty quickly how to get around that, so through using those three phrases she no longer tries to get into them.

Say 'we don't touch that' or what works awesome with my 2 year old is 'they aren't allowed out of the cupboard, tell them to stay there'. That works well at the supermarket too when she tries to help 'they aren't allowed of of the shelf but you can get this one...'

With the 1 year old = distraction distraction distraction - I remove him from the offending activity and try and engage him in something else. They usually only start getting into stuff when they are bored.

We use No, thats dangerous, don't touch,don't do that etc etc and they have no effect except she either tries to do it again or says no back (its one of few words she can say). She doesn't listen to us and thinks its funny when we tell her off. I would like to know how to fix this too.

at pre school we werent allowed to say no.. which drove me mental.. I think it's an important word in this house..lol.. we do use distraction and other words but no is the one that works the best..in short they often just keep touching no matter what you say:) and bizzy...yah for tape on the fridge hadnt thought of that one thanks!:)

When my boy was younger we used the distraction alot. We tried and still try not to use 'no' and rather, dont touch its dangerious/precious/hot/messy etc etc or leave out the don't touch and just say ooh dangerous etc! I also use "not for Sam" or "only for big people/adults/mum or dad.
I think when they are little and exploring, using too many words isn't as effective as just moving them away or using just one word...like just 'dangerous'. We try to use the discribing words so it helps with his language and also for later on when we are talking about other things that are dangerous like the road.