My daughter is 3 and a half, i also have a 8 month old daughter.
When the baby was born my eldest was so in love with her, we made sure (still do) to include her at every opportunity, she helps with nappies, feeding and playing ect.
For the past week, when I leave the room, she has hit or kicked her sister. She’s slapped her twice today, the first time was for no reason and the second was that she was playing with her and my baby pulled her hair so she slapped her head in retaliation. She’s done it about 5 times this week. They aren’t left unsupervised for more than 5 mins. There’s been no changes like school or environment. I’ve put her in time out but it’s not made a difference. I have obviously explained that the baby doesn’t do it to hurt her and she doesn’t understand yet that pulling hair is naughty.
Any suggestions on how to handle this?? We don’t hit our children, never have. We use the naughty step. (Although I’ve said if she hits her sister again her barbies are going in the bin)
I just don’t know what to do. I understand that it’s hard for my eldest, she was the first baby on both sides so was used to getting all the attention, I don’t want to make her feel excluded and do my best to make time for just us, but I also can’t have my baby being hit. This aside, she’s a loving child and loves playing with other children and doesnt hit others. She gets cross with people if my baby cries when they hold her and it’s protective of her. Help mummas!