hair pulling

[zanadu]

my son is13 months old and regularly pulls lumps out of my hair. I try to keep him away from my hair but it's not reaaly practicle, any advice?

How does he get to your hair? Is it when he's in your arms?

Does he get his hands stuck while stroking your hair and some comes out by mistake? If so just be calm as it's a mistake.

If however he's learnt that to get mummy to do something funny like yell all he has to do is to grab a chunk of hair and pull hard there are two things you can do.

Firstly if it's long tie it back all the time so he's not tempted!

Secondly look him in the eye - say "NO" firmly and loudly with the "fierce mummy face" (no shouting)and put him down on the floor and walk away. Count to 10 and return making no comment about hair/bad boys etc and pretend it never happened.

It's like puppy training - in the end they get there!

it's usually when he's in my arms. He is very loving and often gives hugs and kisses but then grasps my hair and pulls very hard. I have tried the no, and putting him down but he cries so hard I feel terrible incase he thinks I am regecting his affection

my hair is in a short bob so hard to pull back, my hairdresser is even noticing the broken hair now. do you think he will just grow out of it?

zanadu - don't worry about making him cry! It's brief only and he'll recover quickly. And better you teach him now than he does is to another child and hurts that baby!

All you are doing is teaching him that hurting people is not nice and doesn't lead to hugs and kisses.

You are not rejecting him but just working hard like a good mother should to ensure that he does not hurt people. This is a lesson he has to learn and you are the only one who can teach him.

What you need to remember is that at the same time you can give him lots of extra attention for all his lovely giggles and smiles - while ignoring the difficult behaviour.

He will grow out of it but you need to take the lead.