My 2 year old son has a thing for my neighbour's little one who is six months younger. Whenever he sees him he will make a be-line to shove him, take away the toy he has and, most bizarrely, often walks behind him and stomach butts him. This only seems to happen when we're playing at home (ours or my neighbours), not at toy library or childminder.

DS has been through a lot of change; five month old baby sister being the big one. Also neighbour's LO started going to the same child-minder about two months ago.

Is it just some weird developmental stage where my son is trying to assert a place in the pecking order or the start of something more sinister? Also, suggestions on how to deal with immediate behaviour please.

We're using warnings, time out (sometimes with me being calm, sometimes on his own) and diversions and they do seem to be working. But yesterday, seeing neighbour's LO who was happily pleasing himself and not being a bother to the others, shaking with fear when he realised my DS was heading for him again really made me want to swing at my own son.

No, he's doing it because he can and there's a response and he's only two. Bullting is far too complicated for a a two year old. Don't worry all perfectly normal.
Keep him away from your neighbour's son and by that I mean not a minute to ffrighten the little one, not for your son but for the other boy. It is your duty anmd the CM's duty to ensure your son doesn't have a chnace to hurt him.
Letting yours do nice thngs like hand out the raisins could be a good dtart for positive interaction.

Thanks PosieParker. It's a relief to know I've not got a bully on my hands! BTW, there's no way he would do it in front of CM, her calm, firm discipline puts my chaotic mothering to shame DS has not been for a week as was with grandparents but I'll be chatting to her this am for advice too.

It just seems so alien to try and positively channel behaviour when you want to shout, "FFS, leave the LO alone!" Love the raisin idea, good learning on many levels.

My ds had a thing (he's nearly 2) for one of his little mates who was a late starter in many aspects and would purposely go up and do something horrible. It was like he was picking on her. I watch him like a hawk with her now but she's growing up too and seems to be able to fight her own battles better so is giving him a run for his money. I have a friends son who does this too - he's 4 and a half now and has really grown out of it a lot.

nocca maybe have a word with you neighbour too so she knows you are aware & dealing with the problem, only a phase but good for you for dealing with it!!

Maybe you & the neighbour & the CM could come up with a plan you could all stick to about what is to be done when (ie distraction/time-out etc)

You are doing all the right things- keep praising his good behaviour & ignoring the bad as much as you can, he'll get through it!

(& PP is right too young to be a bully-just a nnormal little boy doing what boys do -bless 'em!!)