Hair Pulling 16mo!!

[LauLu]

My 16mo DS is constantly pulling my 32mo DD's hair. He often resorts to it during an altercation and he is losing! But they can also just be playing nicely together and he'll suddenly grab a handful of her hair and pull until I physically intervene and stop him. Usually he comes away with a tuft of hair in his hand. DD is obviously not impressed by this!! Any suggestions on how to discourage DS?? Before I start pulling my own hair out!!

I have something similar with my two - there is usually biting involved too.

Generally I try to head things off before it gets that far with lots of praise for playing nicely etc but intervene when it turns, say NO, firmly, remove DC2 to the other room and walk away. I think that's all you can do at this age.

I think 16 months is still a little bit too young to understand, but I would keep being firm - partly also for the sake of his older sister. Once my DC1 reached 2 I found that disciplining methods like time out became effective and I intend to start at around the same age with DC2.

I have a 16 month old. I tend to give the victim a cuddle and take them off somewhere ignoring the younger one.

take older one off - not both

It's his lack of understanding that it's wrong that I'm struggling with. Attention for her and ignoring him is a good idea thanks. He just laughs at me when I tell him off!