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3yr old hitting and playfighting - what do you think?

4 replies

drivingmisspotty · 24/08/2012 14:48

Recently 3 yr old DD has started hitting me when she doesn't want to do something, e.g. when I tell her it is time to leave the park she shouts no and hits me, in a kind of flappy-armed way. It doesn't hurt but as she means to do it and to be aggressive I tell her 'no hitting' and we leave the playground immediately (no 'one last slides' etc).

Now, my dilemma is that her and DP have a teasy way of playing with each other. He teases her about something e.g. calling her a pet name, and she responds by shouting 'you're being a tease' and hitting him in a similar way, all accompanied by giggles.

He's not keen on us telling her not to hit him in this instance - he enjoys the playfighting, whereas I think it would be simpler to have zero-tolerance on hitting.

What do you guys think? Can a typical 3 yr-old tell the difference? (I'm not sure, and while I am sure I can teach her not to hit me I dread the thought of her hitting friends or a grandparent because it's okay to hit daddy).

OP posts:
FariesDoExist · 24/08/2012 16:34

I'd definately stop the "hitting game"!

There might be other things your DP can do instead - chase her, tickle her a little bit, make a funny/sad face, etc. but hitting is not really a good game for your DD at the moment if she's hitting at other times too!

ZuleikaD · 25/08/2012 08:26

You've got to stop the hitting game. Wrestling - fine. But no hitting is no hitting is no hitting. Three year olds can't tell the difference and there's every chance that she'll take it to school with her and hit other children, teachers etc because she's learned it as a way to express herself. Got to stop it.

drivingmisspotty · 25/08/2012 21:54

Thanks guys, I reckon I knew this already really, will have a chat...

OP posts:
pictish · 25/08/2012 21:55

Absolutely no to the hitting game. You are right.

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