18mth DD hitting us..

[caspercat]

Any advice? Within 2 mins of getting in our bed at 7am for milk, she started hitting me & DH. Not hard, obviously, and i know she's trying it on, but i don't know how to react. If we ignore her, she keeps doing it, and it feels like we're letting her do it. If i say a firm NO, she stops, gives us a kiss, but then does it again 5 mins later!
I asked her nursery staff, they say they all do it at some stage, but they also say NO, cos there's only so much they can allow. I know they grow out of it, but it upsets me, cos i can't bear to think of her turning into one of those kids who think it's a fun thing to do!! What do we do?? Thanks xx

Anyone??

I know it's been done before, but if anyone can help, would be v grateful...

My DS has just had a short (few weeks) spell of doing this, he's a bit older - 2.4. I just kept saying no firmly, as you are, and it seems to have passed. Think it's just testing limits and also that they don't realise they're own strength/that it hurts! It's very hard first thing in the morning though. My DS was, obviously, doing it to make me get out of bed (I don't want to at 6am) so then my getting up felt like giving in, Think I got quite cross (extra firm NO!!) on a few occassions..Good luck

my ds has started doing this and he is 16 mths. He does it when he cant get his own way and you can see by the look on his face he is angry. He is testing tis all and sounds as though your dd is doing the same

Is horrible because he only does it to me. I tell him no very sternly but he usually tries it again. Then go for distraction which have found to be better.

As long as you let her know it is not okay to hit wouldnt worry -just a phase

I was glad to read this thread as my ds (18 mths) thinks it's a jolly jape to grab mummy or daddy around the face REALLY hard and doesn't respond to NO in the way we would like - he thinks it is funny. I agree that distraction is the best option. I hope they all grow out of it soon!

Another mum of a similar age ds, hits out when he's frustrated or being made to do something he doesn't like (ie changing his nappy!). He does generally laugh when we say no, occasionally he'll stop but mostly we go for the distraction technique too. A good tickle usually stops it!

Thanks all. Always seems so much worse at the time, now she's in bed & sleeping like an angel, i feel awful for saying unkind things about her!! But it does all make sense, distracting & just generally letting her know it's not ok! xx

They all do it, honestly it is not worth stressing about how you respond to it, because she will just grow out of it in a few months and it means nothing about her long-term behaviour and personality.
Pre-three-years-old nothing much in the way of discipline is particularly effective IMO. My simple but radical theory of child behaviour is this: if you and the other adults in your household are polite and respectful to each other and your children that is what they see every day and what they will model eventually. If you are not, they wont't. Discipline is pointless if you are not modelling good behaviour (90% of the time).

Very wise words Rosa...will remember them. Thanks again xx