DD age 4 3/4 slapped DS2 2.11months across the face so hard I heard it. I sent her to her room. He had hit her first which I didn't initially know, see or hear. How should I handle this?

Well, don't be too hard on yourself, DD was still in the wrong. I've learnt to ask why, what led to it, and listen to both sides of the story (not always easy when you're cross!) I've also learnt to read body language as well as listen, as you're not always going to get the full truth verbally.

I think you did the right thing, to send her to her room first of all. ?You must have been shocked and upset and its best to remove her from teh situation while you get your head together.

TBH I'd give her a real telling off, explaining to BOTH of them that we don't hit anybody, that we are a family and we love each other and if somebody gets cross, they should come to mummy (etc) - am I making sense?

DS2 is still so little and has recently started hitting, etc because he has seen the others do it, or else had it done to him. I have explained to the older ones that he will copy so if they don't want him to hit them, they mustn't hit him. I also do tell him off too but not as harshly this time as I didn't see it or find out about it in time. Normally he would be sent to the step for 3 minutes.

I reminded DD about not hitting back and she said she forgot. She also said he hit her and scratched her nose.

I gave her a separate bath and now they are all playing upstairs while DH tries to round them up to do their teeth and stories.

I think you did all you could luv

Thank you. <wry >

I do sympathise though - I had to tell my two off (aged 4 and 8) for throwing stones at ducks today! DUCKS! I was fuming wiht them.

Oh!!!! Ducks.

I once convinced my Dh (when he was boyfriend) I had a duck swimming around in my bath. I was very convincing!

send them both to their rooms

loon