How are you handling your LO when they get agressive. Hitting, pulling hair etc. At first we tried to distract, that didn't work, then we went to saying No. That seems to work for everyone but me. I am not laughing or smiling when I tell him no, yet he thinks it is hilarious. Then he does what we can an evil laugh everytime I tell him "No, it's not nice to hit." It it just something that takes time, or is there a better way to approach it.
Re: So a question about hitting
No ***. I was just wondering anyone had found something that worked a little better.
Ya, that is what I was thinking, I was just hoping someone had a brilliant idea LOL. I just look like I left a warzone with the battle wounds I have on my face this week.
Um yeah, I think she know this. She's asking for opinions, not an end all solution.
This is an uncalled for comment.
To OP, I'm right there with you, we say "NO" firmly, and sometimes he listens other times he doesnt. I think its consistancy and time. My LO likes to pull hair and bite when he is trying to go to sleep......just keep working on it!
Yep, that's Trent's favorite time too. Which make his desire to fight sleep even more fun.
Interesting! I wonder then if this is common. I like to rock him for a few minutes to get him prepared for bed, but sometimes he just wont stop pulling my hair (hard!), so in the crib he goes.....
We've been through pretty much the same thing. LO hit for a long time thinking it was a fun game. This is partly our fault because when he started to do it he was really young and it didn't hurt so we laughed~it started out as a playful interaction. We finally got him to stop by putting him down when he did it. He quickly realized that getting put down wasn't fun and he got the hint. We've also been trying to teach him "gentle" by touching his cheek or arm gently and softly and saying "gentle." He's starting to get it. I'm trying to focus more on teaching him what to do than what not to do by saying no constantly. GL!
Obviously we can't all be as awesome and smart as you.
Thanks. The putting down thing is something we haven't tried. As for the gentle maybe we should start that again.
this is what we do as well. DH isnt home very often, so I think DD understands my "mad mommy" voice. If she doesnt want a new diaper she slaps the crap out of me and kicks me and then gets a "no, that is not nice!" so she stops...until the next diaper change.
Mine definitely understands what "no" means though, if said in the right tone of voice.
Mine (esp DS) also used to do the slapping & hair pulling a lot at bedtime and I still notice if s/he is cranky/overtired, it will start. Instead of a lot of 'no-ing' I always held his hand and stroked my face, arm, whatever and said 'gentle gentle' at first. Then if he kept going & getting aggressive I did a stern no & eventually just put him in his crib & realized that it was often related to being tired.
It has gotten much better in the last month or so & I think it is probably just a function of age. When he hits his sister I do the same thing, unless he hits her pretty hard or in her face, then he gets an immediate very stern NO. He used to laugh but when he gets that kind of no, he gets it & even has started crying on occasion which makes me feel bad
.
GL I'm sure your LO will grow out of it or start to do it less w/ time. It was the worst for us around 9-10 months I'd say.
2 questions were asked: 1. how do others handle it and 2. any recommendations on a different way to approach the problem.
2 legit questions, in which not once did she mention an expectation for a solution to end the problem immediately
What we're doing (I read this recommendation somewhere) is to take his hand and say something like "it's not nice to hit" and then pet gently with his hand and say "gentle." I'm trying that when he tries to grab the cat's fur, too. He doesn't get it but I want him to know the boundaries as soon as he can.
If anything, just know you're not alone and all babies/toddlers will go through this phase multiple times!
At this age, I firmly say "we don't hit/pull hair/etc.." and redirect or remove from the situation (like put her down if she's sitting on me pulling my hair, or move her across the room from my other DD..).
Like a pp mentioned, if it's to the cat or somewhere where I can do this, I'll say "we pet gently" and guide her hand to show her what gentle is.
BFP 5/07 - Kylie born 2/08. BPF 2/09 - Alexandra born 10/09.
TTC since 8/13 - diagnosed difficulty conceiving due to LP defect. Took vitamin B and Vitex Berry to help lengthen.
BFP 2/14 - Missed M/C found at 8.5 weeks. D&C at 9w2d. Partial Molar Pregnancy.
BFP 11/14
My Pregnancy(ies) Blog
We've had the same issue for months now. I have learned that Sam pulls hair when he's hungry or tired. I have learned Sam hits when he's very angry, or if he's tired and napdodging. Can you isolate the action to anything like that?
Other posters have the same solution that I've tried too - redirection, firm 'no', emphasizing 'gentle'... but I'm sorry that I have no other solution to offer. Nothing's really worked for us either. The only thing that works is knowing what he's trying to convey to us by doing the offending action.
now that dd learned to throw (thanks alot daddy) she throws toys and she has really great aim - she always seems to nail me right in the middle of the forehead. she also just stopped pulling my hair - and is doing great with "gentle".
I tell her no-no, very sternly, then tell her why and redirect. We started this at 9 month or so with things that were dangerous or the cats - and at that time she would laugh and do it more.
Now after a couple month of it being repeated when she does something bad - she does stop in her tracks and looks. It helps now that she is walking.
Just be consistant in whatever you do.