does anyone have a problem with their child hitting or grabbing? My LO does it a lot. Never in an angry way, she doesnt do it as a tantrum. She does it because she thinks shes playing. She will hit our face or top of the head or grab cheeks/lips/nose. And hard. I firmly (but not painfully) grab her hand and seriously say no.. but she thinks its funny. And she sometimes does it to little kids which is my main concern. Shes a high energy child and a very aggressive hugger.. is this just a common phase? She isnt in daycare so I don't have other kids to compare it to but kids in her gymnastics are just so much more calm then her so I get very embarrassed and feel like I'm failing as a mother.. i don't want to be the one with the kid no one wants playing with their kid because shes so aggressive.
Re: Hitting/grabbing
Also, let me add: Davey has been the recipient of more shoves and hits from other little kids than I anticipated. I have never judged the parents one bit when they are attentive to what their kid is doing and making a realistic effort to teach him/her (because I'm sure it will be my turn soon enough!). Only on one or two occasions when the parents were either oblivious or simply didn't make any attempt to correct the behavior did it bother me. So don't worry. I'm sure you are much more sensitive about it than most of the other parents are!
@krrpe99 I will definitely be checking out the Hands are not for Hitting book! Thanks!
The biting book is really good and we ha e seen a decrease in the biting
This is the approach we're going with for now.
1. Acknowledge feeling (you seem angry)
2. Set the limit (momma is not for hitting)
3. Then redirect or give her another option (you can hit this pillow instead/let's run around and get that energy out). If we just tell them "no", they don't know what else to do with themselves and probably won't be able to calm down. Giving an acceptable choice can help teach coping skills.