Aggh - LO is 2 & 1/2...the slapping hitting me....

[monkeychambers]

I need some advice please.....

My little one has started the hitting thing again.

This morning when I told her she couldn't have something she responded by hitting me with her milk. (Really hard & she's quick)

At the weekend she said 'I'm going to hit you mummy' a few times I told her 'no, we don't hit people' etc... but she still tried to. We were playing away quite happily with her bricks when it happened - I had originally thought she may do it for attention but she had my full attention.

I have tried various things but would welcomne any advice on how to handle it...

Thanks very much....

And its always around the face / head....

don't know why you haven't got any replies, it's such a common and upsetting problem - bumping for you.

I've had this come and go with my DD, now 3.3. I always use time out for "biggies" like this - like Supernanny, I give a warning, then if she repeats she's in the naughty hall (or wherever). When she was around the age of your DD, it tended to happen when I was holding her, so I'd put her down and walk away, then avoid eye contact until it felt right to try and get an apology and move on. The most important thing I realised was not to make a big fuss e.g. not to say how it hurt me, or tell her off, as for some reason she loved all that. I just had to hide my reaction. But now she's older, I do try to explain how her behaviour makes me feel - you just have to gauge that kind of thing depending on your dd's understanding.

The thing that has worked best has been a star chart where she got a sticker at the end of each day she didn't hit me. I drew pictures of the things that are forbidden (so hitting, biting and pulling my clothes - used to drive me maaaaaddddd!) and she'd help me think back over the day to decide if she deserved a sticker. If she hadn't quite managed, I didn't make a fuss, just drew a simple heart and said I loved her anyway and she could try again tomorrow. It worked in less than a week, which just shows how much she loves stickers. But this was when she was 3, not sure how a younger dc would manage with the daily review side of things.

Hope you get some other suggestions.

Thanks very much JS - some great advice there. I will continue with the naughty hall (yep I'm using the hall as well). Its the same for me usually when I'm holding her.

Told DH last night I was going to just start putting her down and walking into another room - so great to read that worked for you too.

You are so right about making a big fuss about it - I have been thinking she even sees it as some kind of game as she gets such a big reaction out of me for it. A whole lot of 'right thats it - big warning - naught hall... - i've told you before - you do not hit mummy - you do not hit anyone blah blah bah'

Roll on 3rd birthday - we will definately be going for the sticker idea - sounds ideal. (Sooner if I think she's up to it)

Thanks again for the advice and bump its nice to know I'm not the only one to go through this....