Aggressive Toddler

[Charlie1]

My 22 month old Son seems to be very hostile towards other children. At the moment he is hitting and pushing (mainly pushing) every child that goes near him. If he is in the park with his ball and a child approaches him he squares up to them and either hits, pushes or rugby tackels them. He even reaches out of his pushchair to children passing. I feel that I can't be more than a step away from him and have to be ready to step in all the time, it is driving me mad. I tell him off sternly but it doesn't seem to have any effect, I have once or twice smacked the back of his hand (against my better judgement) he just hit's me back thinking it's a game. If I comfort the other child he goes crazy and throws himself to the floor screaming. Is this normal? will this pass? What can I do to help the situation. I must add that he is a very happy, affectionate and charming little boy and I adore him!

[ChanelNo5]

Charlie1 - IME boys between the ages of about 20 mths to 3 yrs can be little horrors (mine are aged 5 and 22 mths) Girls too can have their moments (dd is aged 4 yrs) but aren't as physical as boys. I think what you've described is normal toddler behaviour as your son is at the age when he is starting to push boundaries, starting to get possessive (over you, toys and food) and competitive with other kids and all other sorts of 'lovely' behaviour. This is the age when they can REALLY start to show you up in public! All I can say to you is to sit it out, this phase, as hideous as it seems now, will pass. You've cottoned on to his antics, you're taking action when he's naughty and you're letting him know in no uncertain terms that it's not on. When I'm out with my 22 mth old, I do tend to follow him round and keep a close eye on him, that way I can usually intervene before anything untoward happens. Also, it gives you the opportunity to show them how to share, take turns etc and prevents you being put into any awkward and embarrassing situations. I'm glad that you say he's very happy and affectionate - I'm sure he's an adorable little man. HTH and keep up the good work. When he's a big strapping lad of 18, you'll look back on these days and laugh!

[jodee]

Hi Charlie1, I'd go along with all of Chanelno5's comments. My ds, aged 2, is into hitting other children on the head at the mo. There's a helter skelter type slide at the playground we go to and if the children coming up behind him get too close, invading his 'space', he is just the right height being on the step above to give them a good whack to the head. It sometimes works to say to him 'No, don't hit, say hello' and he then does that, and waves at them, but other times I have to remove him. At other times he is like your little boy, very affectionate and loves to kiss people - he went over to kiss an elderly couple in the park today and you should have seen the smiles on their faces!