2 year old DS violent towards 6 year old DD - normal??!

[MamaG]

DS loves to play with DD but recently he's started to punch her and laugh when she wails - I've told him off for it (i.e. got down to make eye contact, held his arms and said NO! firmly) but he continues to do it. I've asked DD to just ignore him when it happens (i.e. not to make a noise or eye contact) so that he isn't getting a reaction but it isn't working.

She's getting really peed off with it and I wondered if others had experienced something similar and if so, did it last?!

I don't have experience of this but I'm sure it's completely normal - let's face it, any boundary-testing behaviour is normal for a two year old!

I do think though that NOW is the time to establish a no hitting rule in the house. Tell them both that in this house, we do not hit each other. I personally think that he should have two minutes time out in his room, if you've done all the 'no's' and she has ignored it as far as she can. I never used time out much myself but I think it is very good when you actually, genuinely need a break - when a toddler is driving you round the bend, and I think this situation is that!

So basically what I'm saying is that he needs to be told the rule, and then get a consequence each and every time he does it.

my 2 yo dd is the same to 5yo dd. Doesn't help that dd1 is a really girlie girl and howls if her sister even touches her!

yes, I second what sparklemagic says, it is normal for 2 year olds to push the boundaries. My 2 yr old trashed her sister's cupboard a month or so ago, and ran off, shouting "I tan do what I want"
Er.....no!
I think you are taking the right approach or zero tolerance, he will grow out of it. Feel for your dd though, a 2 yr old bent on violence can be quite scarey!

I've tried the naughty corner with him over this - he cried hysterically but stayed there. I only left him in for a minute, but it seemed to do the trick. DD is really good about not hitting him back, bless her.

Thanks for the advice.

I am going through exactly the same thing.
DD2 (2 next month) will bite, pinch, scram ect.. until dd1 (8 next month) is crying in agony.
I have done the naughty step, made her appologise and even done these things back but she keeps it up.
DD1 is getting really down over it too.

Yup, my ds is 2 and his sister is nearly 6. He will bite her, scratch her, punch her, pull her hair etc. Watch out for teasing though, dd will tease him and I only notice when she screams after he has retailated. If he does this I sit him on the naughty step for a few minutes and I also try to explain to dd that he hits out of frustration because she has teased him, or because he doesn't understand her rules. She also knows to walk abruptly away from him if he does it.

He'll grow out of it, eventually!

My 2.5yr old ds is always trying to beat his older brother (9yrs) up. Sometimes DS1 can be sitting quite nicely either watching tv or reading a book and suddenly ds2 attack. Only last week DS1 showed me a large bump onhis head caused by ds2 hitting him with someting. DS2 seems to think it is a game though as sometimes they play fight - like boys do. I have also noticed though that ds1 will deliberatley try to wind ds2 up ie take his toys away. He always does it when he thinks no one is looking and then when ds2 attacks he moans. I always try to get ds2 to realise it is wrong but he is at a stage where he is always testing us. ds1 also gets punished if we know he started it. My boys also argue a lot which is quite funny as ds2 only has a limited vocabulary.

I guess its just another joy of parenthood!!