I don't know what to do.

[overduemamma]

I have an almost 3 year old boy. He has a bad habit of pushing other kids, grabbing t-shirts and smacking. He is punished by me and his dad if we see him doing these things. We take him out of the situation, normally sit him on the sofa in the corner, tell him it's naughty, he shouldn't do that, it hurts and it makes (the child) sad. He seems to be worse in the holidays. I've tried alsorts with him and I just don't know what to do now.

Anyone?

Are there any triggers at all? For instance does it happen more if he's tired or hungry?

I think this kind of boundary pushing/reacting is really common at this age so don't for a second think you're alone! Have you tried star charts? We used one for ds when he was 2.5 and it did absolutely nothing but when we re tried a few months later it was really effective. I think immediate sanctions and consistency work best at this age, so if get hits another child at, say toddler group he is warned that anymore bad behaviour and you will leave. And then do it. Never threaten anything you won't carry out. I've had to leave the library once and toddler group once, as in literally picked him up, put him in the buggy and left immediately(didn't even put his coat on until we were out) but from then on he knew to behave. Also as pp says tiredness and hunger definitely make it worse.

I've not noticed any triggers but will keep an eye out for them. I don't really go to toddler groups but he goes to pre-school and they've pulled me up about it and we are trying to get on the same page (disciplining him). I had enough at the weekend of telling him no so I kept bringing him in and sitting him on the sofa. Will try this consistently next time. I'm glad I'm not alone as I feel like I am x

Could he simply be overtired?

Possibly. Depending on what time he gets up he does have a nap through the day. I thought it might be a over excited thing? I know he's only young and I'm hoping i can snap it out of him but I'm really bothered by the fact that no one will want to come play with him and he'll be isolated x

There isn't much more I can add, but have you read this?

Read what sorry?! X

Just click on "this" in my post. It's a link [smle]

Think I need to go to bed. Seem to have lost the ability to spell smile.