Toddlers hitting

[AgentM]

I honestly don't know what to do now. He hits all the time and it's getting worse. He's 16months old. He always did it a little and he seemed to stop doing it. Then he started again after spending some time with some older kids that thought it was funny when he hit their faces (he was only doing it lightly). As much as I tried to stop it, they would carry on when no-one was watching. He doesn't do it maliciously I don't think. he does it if he is angry, sad, happy or playing. So no actual trigger that I can see.

Anyway, we have been trying to get him to stop. Talking firmly to him, giving him time out, explaining why he shouldn't do it. You name it, i've tried it. o what do I do now? it turned out that the childminder hadn't seem him do it until the beginning of this week. she also tries to get him to stop, but last night, she said that her son has now started it I am so emabarrassed. We are meeting this afternoon at a toddler group and said that we would discuss a plan of action! But where do we start? Anyone else had this problem and overcome it?

 

[Mervs Mum]

We've not had this but Hebe is a biter. Up to now she's not bitten anyone but she bites objects in frustration - like the sofa and even tried to bite the dog We are just doing the same as you and all you can do it continue to be consistent. Dont let the childminder guilt trip you either.

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Perhaps make a game of it and get him to slap his leg instead in a little dance - Rosie slaps her bum gently when doing the boom boom dance on the Teletubbies..This might be ridiculous sorry!

 

[AgentM]

We've not had this but Hebe is a biter. Up to now she's not bitten anyone but she bites objects in frustration - like the sofa and even tried to bite the dog We are just doing the same as you and all you can do it continue to be consistent. Dont let the childminder guilt trip you either.

Thanks Lisa. she isn't trying to guilt trip us though. he's quite chilled about it. I think it's because she has older kids, so knows how to deal with these things. It's just me starting to loose sleep over it!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Try not to then Cat because they ALL go through it at some point or to one degree or another. You're aware and doing something about it which is a lot more than some mum's do - your doing good lass!

 

[karenandbump]

Harrison is sixteen and a half months and doing this too - not hitting hard and as per your little one, he'll do it to play or when he's in any type of mood. I tell him not to do it but not making a big deal out of it in the hope he'll get bored of it...not sure if that's right tho as Harrison is my first xxx

 

[titch]

He's just reacting to the positive feedback he got from those kids who thought it was funny. Im sure you know your boy isnt trying to be nasty or hurt people. Havent got any bright ideas, I guess all you can do is give him consistently negative feedback until he realises it isnt worth the reaction, hope the meeting went well!