Pinch, bitey & vicious, please tell me it's just a phase!

[LaTristesse]

DS is 14 months and is starting to get really vicious with us. He used to just bite and pinch us when he was tired, which I was prepared to accept...just, along with a severe 'no!'
But he's started doing it now when we tell him off, or take things away from him. Is this normal or is he destined to be a bully?
And what's the best way to deal with this? DH favors smacking his hand, but I can't bring myself to hurt him...

well smacking him is just teaching him to smack when people do things you don't like........ so i'd say that probably is counter-productive!

i favour a stern NO and then removing yourself from the vicinity.
but you need to couple this with extra increased super vigilance! so spot when he is getting agitated, try and note particular triggers and stop him before he can do it.
it won't always work, but if you can pre-empt him as much as possible he will learn

also model the behaviour you want to see with a "no DS, we don't pinch, we touch gently" then stroke his arm, or get his hand and make it stroke your arm/face/leg/whatever

It is developmental and Im afraid he is just warming up for the terrible twos!!! i think all you can do is a firm no we don't do 'whatever it is that he has done' !!! And if he is really naughty maybe a short period of time out in his cot or somewhere else that is safe but contained

I wouldn't start labelling him as a 'bully' or 'vicious' or anything else he is just a little boy who is starting to push the boundaries and he is trying to tell you how he is feeling bearing in mind he probably doesn't have all the words he needs to tell you what is going on iyswim?

Is he in a routine where he is getting enough sleep, eating regularly? Am just thinking if he is over tired or hungry that won't help behaviour!