Hand Smack for 9 month baby?

lynnbeez

My SIL smacked my nephew's hand really hard yesterday at Thanksgiving.  He was being a baby and exploring things but being it was my mother's house, the house is not baby proofed or something a baby should touch.  Anyone think hand smacking a 9 month old is ok?  I thought distraction should still be the main method of discipline at 9 months.  I have to admit I was in shock.

LilSurferGirl

Um - wow.  I would never smack a nine month old for any reason. There's no way they're ready to understand that kind of discipline.  You are right, distraction is all that's needed at that age.  I don't think any kind of hitting is okay - but certainly not at 9 months!

amv2step

I agree with you. Hand smacking is not appropriate discipline for a 9 month old. YOu either distract them or remove them from the situation, which is what I did at my aunt's yesterday when DS liked her decorations on the coffee table and wanted to mess with the stereo.

amv2step

lynnbeez--I'm also a proud wife of a police officer! I love that blinkie!

jeffs_baker

If anyone EVER hits dd, they will be very sorry. I would have some serious words with SIL about appropriate ways to deal with a baby, especially my  baby.

jeffs_baker

Sorry, I just reread your post and realized she hit her own son's hand. I thought you said she hit your dc's hand.

Anyway, yes, totally inappropriate.

 

howleyshell

Not trying to dismiss her actions but you have to remember that she's from a different generation and probably didn't think twice about it.

To answer your question - hand smacking is NEVER ok in my book.

If you want to teach your children not to hit - you musn't hit THEM.  Simple enough....  but still a relatively "new" philosophy in parenting.

ckolak:-)

citygirl_

Smacking is never cool in my book, especially not for a freaking 9 month old!  That's ridiculous.

lynnbeez

howleyshell:

Not trying to dismiss her actions but you have to remember that she's from a different generation and probably didn't think twice about it.

?? My SIL is 35, I'm 30.

LukeAndAmanda

I third the being a police officers wife! haha That is really cute!

howleyshell

oops!

Sorry - I thought I read "MIL"

Ummm..... no way in hell I'd ever let SIL watch my kids for me!

Different people parent different ways and I try to respect that as much as possible.  A smack on the hand isn't grounds for calling CPS but it's 100% grounds for me to not have that person alone and responsible for my child.

I hope it was an isolated incidence.  It's tough when others choose to smack or spank.  I don't want my kids even SEEING that kind of thing, ya know?

I'd hate for this to become a bigger issue further down the road.....

lynnbeez

howleyshell:

I'd hate for this to become a bigger issue further down the road.....

 

Me too!  But I have a bad feeling about it.  I know my brother's and SIL's temperment.  It's really scary.  She said she has also spanked him during a diaper change because he kept rolling over.

howleyshell

WHAT?

Spanked him for rolling during a diaper change? 

And how did THAT work for her?

Now...  I'm pissed.

I don't envy you.  This is the kind of thing that makes me choose not to be around certain people.  And.... this is your family.  You're gonna be in a tough spot....

I don't know what part is worse - not wanting your child to be exposed to someone who hits their kid or not wanting your child to be exposed to the KID who will grow up hitting OTHER KIDS!!!!

URGH....

HawaiiBrideGrm

Completely and utterly ridiculous method of "redirection", IMO. I'm not sure I'd have my kids around that kind of behavior (if possible).

Deltadee

Absolutely not okay...our pedi said it's okay to start teaching the word "no" but do not expect to really start to discpipline until DC is closer to two years old and can understand.  wow!