Help! Being beaten up by a 3yr old!

[ovaltine]

That's me and her dad being beaten, let alone the odd friend she whacks over the head. She hits in the face and laughs. Headbutts and laughs. She knows its naughty and she shouldn't do it but still does. I have to catch my reactions as normally if someone hits me, I'd hit them back! Is it just a stage? Along with the other naughty stuff she does (throwing drinks around her room etc)? She's a devil at home yet lovely at Pre school......

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

I think it could be a combination of tiredness and a bid to get more attention from you. Keep telling her it's naughty and not kind to do this. Give her a warning, if she does it again she will go for time out. 1:1 time and distracting her might help.

If she hits you or her dad again, bend down to her eye level and explain to her what she has done and why she is going to time out. Then lead her out of the room to a time out zone. Try to stay calm.

Tell her to sit down and remind her why she's there, keep it short, eg "Sit down, (her name) - we don't hit, no hitting."

Stay nearby, up to a minute, it's a breather for both of you. She doesn't have much self-control yet but she'll get there.

Positive reinforcement is good, praise her for little stuff, can she help you with anything, something simple because at that age they love to help and pitch in.

[ovaltine]

Thanks for replying. She's def tired (and ill) at the moment so it's probably worse than normal, got her to sit down after whacking me today and after she's gone to play in her room. I think I need more training than her!