Hitting

[wishingonadream]

My dd is almost 4 and has recently (past 3/4 months) started hitting me when she can't get her own way.

I always send her for a time out and explain that she can not hit me and that neither I or her dad hit her when we are sad.

Today was a bad day, was hit 3 or 4 times, the last time was because I said it was time to go home from a friends bday party. Anyway, i made her say thankyou to the host and she then spotted some cakes and wanted one. I told her that she couldn't have one because she had hit mummuy and I was sad.

On the way to the car she told me "I'm not your daughter anymore, only daddys and I'm going to kill you.". I ignored all her comments, but they obviously upset me.

I ended up asking her dad to speak to her when we were home and she appologised.

She never hears this kind of talk at home and the only place i can think she heard it is from her friends. She has mainly boy friends and they are all into super heroes and it is all about killing the 'baddie'. I never let her watch anything other than cbeebies or peppa pig so i know that she doesn't see it in our tv.

Would love some advice on how to tackle this.

Bump

Is there anyone out there with any advice please?

My DS1 did this. He had a hitting phase as a baby and went through a rough phase at nursery when hitting came on the agenda again (around 4). We did as you are doing, reinforced the 'no', time out and dealt with it. He also went through a phase of saying 'You're not my mummy' when he was told off.

If it makes you feel better I can tell you that my DS1 held a child by the throat at nursery once. I was mortified, tears in my eyes, spoke to the childs mum and probably went OTT about it. He is 5 now and has the understanding and maturity to know that hitting is not allowed. His teacher even said he has gone through this phase completely.

All normal, completely a phase and try not to get too worked up about it (not easy I know).

Thanks 369, nice to know this is normal for some kids. None of her other friends seem to be doing it. Was mortiied when she socke me on a recent school trip with the teachers watching!

I honestly feel your pain.

I can just about laugh now about getting smacked across the face by him in the queue in Boots (this was the baby stage phase of hitting) - cue gasps of horror from everyone in the queue and acute embarrassment for me.