18mth DS hitting - what's the best way to manage

[AshleyFanjo]

I'm sure this has been done to death - but I'm getting so fed up with being beaten up by my son about a million times a day.

At the minute I hold the offending hand, say no hitting and walk away. It doesn't seem to be having any effect.

What have you done that worked and how long before you see results?

Thank you in advance.

standard advance is you Ds needs to see you making a big fuss of the child he hit, for him to be told no hitting and ask him to say sorry.

I have done this and as DD is a bit older I have put her on the naughty step / chair etc a la super nanny and then got her to go and apologise. this works whereever you are, not just at home.

Also, why is he hitting - often DD did after anoter child had snatched a toy - not an excuse but a reason. So monitor the play and if a hitting situation looks like happening, divert them.

Saw a fab mum the other day at the park who got her two kids - about 4 and 6 to have time out when they called another child names she made them sit down, told them that mustnt use unkind words and then without even leaving her spot raising her voice or scowling she got them to walk over to the other child and say sorry. They werent allowed on a particular piece of play equipment by way of a consequence / punishment. I was impressed!

sorry misread - if he is hitting you- it may be attention seeking. is there a particular sequence of events that leads to the hitting?

and treat it the same way, say no hitting, mummy does not like hitting, hitting hurts mummy. and put him down and put on a serious / sad face when you say it to him.

Try the naughty step not too sure if 18ms too young, but it does work. Used to say no way I would use it, I didn't introduce it, but a friend did when DD was there on a playdate without me, was a bit miffed at first but have to agree it works. Needs to be balanced with lots of praise for good behaviour though and as the child gets older, make sure you explain its the behaviour that is naughty not the child.

thank you messy.

he hits for various reasons; when I tell him no for doing something he shouldn't such as playing with the TV or fire. He hits me when I'm feeding him and he hits me when I have to carry him across the road. He definitely does hit for attention, if I am talking to someone he will start throwing a tantrum and when I ignore it will come and belt me in the face because he wants 100% of my attention 100% of the time - it's exhausting!

Sometimes he hits me for what seems like no reason at all, we'll be playing and he'll look at me like he's about to kiss me but then he'll hit me instead.

He is quite late in learning to speak and I do think that some of it is frustration as he can't talk, but not always.

I do tell him no hitting and make sure my tone of voice changes and if I am holding him and it safe to do so I will put hi down and walk away. I have a naughty place where I pop him at home but I think he is too young for it to be effective but I perservere as I simply don't know what else to do.

My DS is 17 months and hits me sometimes - mostly when I am chnaging his nappy. I say something along the lines of, "Don't hit Mummy, you are hurting me. You need to be gentle please" I will then stroke him and 'remind' him what gentle means! I will then say that if he does it again I will put him in his cot. If he does it again, I put him in his cot and walk out for about 30 secs.

I then go in, give him a big hug and remind him to be gentle to Mummy. He rarely then hits again for at least 24 hrs!

When out with other children, if he hits/pushes, I firmly tell him NO and then take his hand and show him how to be gentle instead. Doesn't always work but am hoping the repitition will pay off!