DD (23 months) slapping and kicking before bed

[PickleAndPudding]

DD is being ummm...quite 'spirited' at the moment (read 'pain in the arse'), and has taken to slapping and kicking DH as he gets her ready for bed. She has a nice calm bath etc and is perfectly happy, but when it comes to putting her nappy and pyjamas on she just starts whacking DH. She's not having a tantrum as such - she remains fairly jovial while slapping, but obviously it's not acceptable behaviour.

DH responds calmly and ignores as much as possible, but usually resorts to giving her 'time out' - i.e. leaves her in her room on her own for a couple of minutes. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do as it just seems to drag out the bedtime routine. And more to the point it doesn't seem to be improving her behaviour.

I'm at a loss as to what else we can do though. We do always praise her when she's being good at bedtime.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Can you actually offer her some kind of reward if she gets ready nicely? An extra story or something?

good idea scootergirl.

I think your DH is doing brilliantly with the leaving her on her own thing, it's a good way to teach her that she'll only have nice parental attention and stories and tucking in etc when she is not hitting....

Does she want to do more for herself as regards getting dressed? Ds was like this when he was ready to be doing more for himself rather than being got ready like he was as a baby....is she in pull up nappies at night? She could then pull it up herself and get as ready as she's able.

Maybe he could use a bit of reverse psychology and tell her he REALLY doesn't BELIEVE she can do it herself, she's not a big enough girl, she'll never be able to etc etc...that always had ds snatching the clothes and attempting to get them on asap, and may well distract her attention from the whacking?

strange it has started recently. ds (17m) gets a bit spiteful and quite naughty when he is tired. he will start pinching me or slapping or grab something he knows he shouldnt have then when i say anything he drops it and immediately goes to do something else naughty, like empty the dogs water bowl over himslef and kitchen, then as i go to mop that he will sweep loads of stuff off the coffee table and unless i put him down to sleep he will continue trashing and i will just follow, clearing up the devastation.
i find this very frustrating indeed. could it be a signal she is indeed ready for bed?

ds1 who has not had a nap today is madly unrolling some kitchen roll as i type....

and has just clonked me with a roll of cellotape!