Is this normal toddler behavior?

star173

When K gets upset lately, she hits herself and says "OW". She started playfully hitting and we would say "ow, we don't like that" or whatever. So, she figured out "ow", and she would sometimes walk around and hit herself just to say "ow". She doesn't hit us anymore, just herself. I don't think it's something to worry about, but I was wondering if other kids do this? We don't spank her, so it's not a learned behavior. It makes me feel bad because I know she's frustrated, but I wish she wouldn't do that to herself. IDK. Thoughts?

destea1

I think it's probably normal - DD doesn't do that exactly, but she'll say/do weird things lately to get attention, usually just to see how we react or based on how we've reacted before. She can't handle it when her food is even warm - she'll touch EVERYTHING on her plate now and if it's slightly warm she'll wave her hand and go "HOT" and won't touch it O.o it's weird. I think they just find little random ways to show us they understand and want to see what reaction they'll get.

*sallymad*

DD will hit herself, then if anybody even so much as glances at her when she does it she thinks it's great she's getting all that attention and she'll smile an evil smile then hit herself even harder in the head. Very odd, but I think it's normal.

Amrice78

yeah, weird, but normal

brideatbeach

DD does this all the time! Or better yet she walks up to the wall and hits her head against it and says ow and starts to laugh! Then she does it over and over again til she is on the floor laughing! Hopefully it is just a phase!

Jen&Len

DS does this all the time....sometimes he'll even bang his head on walls, watching me ever so carefully for a reaction.

sarrahs

I used to bite myself all of the time and leave welts all over my arms. It freaked my mom out, and she constantly had to explain to people why I had bite marks all over.

 My son likes to bang his head against the wall to get attention - so I think it must be normal behavior.