How can I stop DS hitting me?

[purpleflower]

DS is 20 months and has started throwing things around and hitting and kicking me. If I tell him off he will just laugh. I have tried getting him to stroke me instead of hitting me but he just won't do it. He never treats anybody else like this, just me. It wouldn't be so bad but I am 25 weeks pregnant and he is aiming at my stomach. I also don't want this to carry on after the baby is here.

How on earth do I get him to stop, it really upsets me. Especially when he just laughs after hurting me

Please help.

Say "no" firmly.
Move him away from you.
Ignore him or distract him.

If I ignore him he just keeps hitting me, if I move him away he just picks up the nearest thing and throws it and if I tell him no he laughs

I just don't know what to do.

purpleflower - you and me both!

It is really upsetting, especially when they seem to really enjoy doing it...

There is hope. Ds went througha phase of pinching/biting (his version of tickles/kisses that went too far)

We did what other posters advised: say NO firmly ignore, hold arms if necessary, distract etc and today after a week of testing our limits he's been as gentle-ish! as a little lamb.

Can't wait til dinner time though.. Good luck. You just have to be consistent and firm. Bloody hard work really!

Give him a consequence that he can understand "that was very sore for mummy, you are not to hit. If you do it again you will ...." make sure you follow through if he does it again. Removing him and placing him in cot/naughty spot etc works well. Make sure it's away from fun. After enough time, explain same thing again, keep it very simple, ask for sorry, say thanks for his apology, have big hug and immediately distract onto a fun thing.

Key thing is be consistent and make sure all people looking after him follow the exact same procedure. Also, lower your voice and make it very serious...

Ds is 22 months and the same(i remember dd being the same at this age too)

I keep telling him no hitting or kicking and then he loses his temper and throws the nearest object. If he does that I tell him he needs to calm down and he goes on the naughty step just to calm his temper. Once he is calm I take him off and cuddle him etc.

Cant say that this has stopped him doing it though but at least I feel proactive.