18 month old hitting me - what do I do?

[DomesticGoddess31]

My almost 18 month old is a little cutie, funny, energetic, charming gorgeous bundle of fun....but....he has a temper on him. He has started hitting me and his sister, pulling her hair, throwing things and generally being a bit menacing. I've been doing the firm 'no, we don't hit' and trying to direct him to cuddling or gentle touching instead. I've been trying really hard to understand what he's trying to tell me (he has very few words, although does LOTS of shouting and pointing at things), but still he keeps hitting. I know that shouting at him doesn't work as have resorted to that as well.

What do I do about this? He's too young for the naughty corner, there is NO chance he'd stay there anyway. I'm sitting here crying because I feel like I'm losing my cute little baby boy

Firstly don't cry.
It is a phase. Don't shout. Just get down to his level and get eye contact. Tell him firmly not to hit. Do it every single time.

If he won't stop, can you put him in his cot or somewhere he can't get out of but can't get hurt and talk to him at arm's length? So he is removed from the situation and you are not physically restraining him. It's very hard to keep your temper when you are getting hurt too, even if it is 'just' a baby doing it. It's exhausting, but he will (eventually) come through it.

Thanks ladies. I hit a bit of a low point yesterday. Sleep deprivation and a black eye from my daughter head-butting my cheekbone while I tried to help her on to the trampoline and then being beaten up by my baby boy. Bad times! I've had a (reasonably) decent nights sleep and feel better today.

I hear what you're saying, consistency is key and I just need to wait it out. Oh, and no shouting. Need to work on that one!

I have put him in his cot twice, to get him out of my sight so I could stay calm more than anything. He was a bit shocked the first time. He thought it was funny the second time.

Urgh! Its a phase, its a phase, its a phase....

Just ignore him if he thinks it funny. It will take time and it is very tiring but just keep the same approach every single time.