19mo hitting me

[ratbunny]

and headbutting and generally launching himself onto me. He finds it all rather funny, but it isnt. He also does this to the dog (poor, long suffereing mutt). But he doesnt really do it to anyone else.

So why me and the dog?

and how can I get him to stop? I used to ignore it, that had no effect. Generally I remove him and distract him (with him not getting any extra attention from me for the hitting), but the message isnt getting through. When he persists (ie me moving, but him continuing to hit me despite distraction), I have tried warning him then putting him on the settee, but this 'time out' doesnt work either as he finds it hilarious.

Any ideas please?

I have no ideas, I'm afraid, only sympathy. One of my dogs and I suffer in the same way at the hands of my 22month old.

oh dear, its not nice is it!

can I give this thread an ironic bump?

I say NO firmly and move him off my lap or away from me (which he hates). May be a bit young for time out, but if he is really winding me up and not taking any notice he gets put in his cot for a couple of minutes (cue screams but means I can get my head together). I think with most bad behaviour ignore and distract can work, but hitting (and dangerous stuff) I react more to because I don't want it to continue. DS is 22 mo btw

time to get tough I'm afraid

when he does it (stand up if you are sitting down) put on your very angry face (the cold hard one you have hidden somewhere!)

hold his arm, get down to his level - eye to eye - and with an expressionless face say loudly and with feeling "no! don't hurt mummy"

the get up, turn your back and leave the room

Count to 5

come back in and be 100% normal (- but not overnormal!)

He'll learn very quickly I expect. He's not doing it on purpose - he's just being overexuberant - and he prob thinks your reactions are funny. So shouting won't help.

Hope he gets better soon.

effie - I have tried what you describe, but I wont use his cot, which is why I used the settee. he found it hilarious.

I will try leaving the room next time.
Already this morning he has hit the dog with his bone. Seems to be as soon as I do something for myself, like preparing breakfast / washing up etc.

can you get him involved in the stuff that triggers this? DS stands on a little stool while I'm washing up and happily swishes about in the water (one of those plastic coverall things is a good idea to save clothes!). Likewise breakfast - canhe help set the table or something?

DS always kicked off when I did the hosuework (well, that was my excuse ) until he became old enough to 'help'. I think we started at about 18 mo?