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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
DD is a hitter and it's driving me crazy!
I think I posted this on the wrong board, anyone else have this issue? DD is 16 months and has started slapping me, DH and even heself when she gets mad, we've been grabbing her hand with a stern look and a NO but it's not working so far. We went to Kindermusik the other day and all the other moms had sweet babies who played along with everything and my little one is screaming and crying, not participating and slapping herself, am I doing something wrong??
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Re: DD is a hitter and it's driving me crazy!
My foster son also did this. He would slap me hard across the face whenever he didn't get his way. My dog had surgery on her paw and when he started to step on her injury when he was angry or just wanting attention, I knew he realized exactly what he was doing and was ready to be introduced to time out.
At 16 & 17months, I would say "No hitting" lead him to the time out area. I told him to "sit" and "stay." I stood near him but would not talk to him. I would return him to the spot when he tried to move. I didn't set a timer since he was being introduced to the basics. I would have him sit there for about 30 seconds. I would then have him get up and I would explain he was in time out for hitting and that he needed to have "gentle hands." I would them have him stroke my face. I'd give him a hug or kiss. We had to do this about 20 times the first day. The next day only once. When he turned 18 months, I began to set a timer for 1 minute. He fully understands the concept of time out - he sits and stays there until he hears the timer go off. He now hits only 1-2 times a week.
Another effective strategy is to just say "no hitting" firmly and set her down and walk away from her and ignore her for a minute. Then pick her back up and say "nice touches" or whatever you wish and move her hand gently on your face and praise her and give her a kiss. My DD was absolutely driving me nuts and there were times where I actually started to get mad, but this strategy worked great and didn't take long at all. Now she is very gentle with my husband and I and even touches our cats nicely. Good luck!
Jenny