How do you deal with the toddler 'hitting stage'

[Littleraysofsunshine]

Half the time it's not necessarily aimed at anyone, if I tell her off. She'll go into the other room and just slightly nudge her baby sister. Not hit as such. Then I correct her then she'll go up to the wall and say "no you naughty".

She doesn't do it much but just recently it's been more frequent. Obviously toddlers experiment and test boundaries. I think she's picking up a bit from playgroups too where personalities are evolving and clashing.

What do you do when you are trying to tell them off and try hit you?

If they try and hit me they go straight in time out. I don't want them thinking they can get away with hitting anyone.

If you google askdrsears hitting there is a list if useful ways to deal with it.

here .

My 20 month old has started doing this. He goes in his cot for time out when he does it, he is learning.

I only leave him for about 30 seconds, but it sends the message.

Personally, I've always preferred not to use the beds and bedrooms as punishment. I've had a hard enough job getting them in there and sleeping all night for it to develop bad associations .

We use the bottom step.

So do I for my older one, but DS2 won't stay put - he is like a moving natural disaster

Dd actually likes her bed and room. So I never say that. I try a time out but I don't hink she understands that yet. I confront her instantly and say you maintain do that. No hitting, we kiss and cuddle (to sister)

And if she's swiped at me I say that's not kind, and he apologises straight away. But will sometimes do it again.

Sometimes I hink they like to see the reaction.

I just hate it when I am having one of those horrible days and I end up snapping at her for it