Anyone leaving a four year old unattended for five minutes is asking for trouble. Four year old children are naturally rambunctious, adventurous, and curious.
As for the chair, there are other ways to influence behavior besides spanking. Kids love to climb for several reasons; the biggest reason is that it is simply fun. Other reasons have to do with the fact that the world around them fits people that are much taller. I would do anything in my power to get higher if everything was out of reach and all I saw around me were people's asses. There's a reason why children's parks are strewn with equipment designed to be scaled. It's not difficult to teach young children that climbing is acceptable outdoor behavior and is not allowed inside.
If the focus of the fun was dancing, then remove the chair and get down on your knees and dance with them. Take care to separate the unacceptable part of the situation from the acceptable. Disney has a Mickey Mouse show that ends with what's called 'The Hot Dog Dance'. I might be oblivious to the show, but when I hear "Grandpa, hot dog dance!!!", it's my cue to drop what I'm doing and dance along.
As for the chair, there are other ways to influence behavior besides spanking. Kids love to climb for several reasons; the biggest reason is that it is simply fun. Other reasons have to do with the fact that the world around them fits people that are much taller. I would do anything in my power to get higher if everything was out of reach and all I saw around me were people's asses. There's a reason why children's parks are strewn with equipment designed to be scaled. It's not difficult to teach young children that climbing is acceptable outdoor behavior and is not allowed inside.
If the focus of the fun was dancing, then remove the chair and get down on your knees and dance with them. Take care to separate the unacceptable part of the situation from the acceptable. Disney has a Mickey Mouse show that ends with what's called 'The Hot Dog Dance'. I might be oblivious to the show, but when I hear "Grandpa, hot dog dance!!!", it's my cue to drop what I'm doing and dance along.
