Biting, hitting, throwing 1.6 yo ds. How to deal??

[ellensmelons]

I have a gorgeous ds, 1.6 and a lovely dd, 2.6. (obv very close together). Recently, ds has started hitting me when i try to put him in the car seat, chucking anything he gets his hands on if it's a 'no' (eg tearing flaps out of books), throwing a complete wobbly if i have to carry him anywhere or hold his hand.

I know he's only little - and a boy - and a feisty character! - but how would you discipline at such a young age?

I have the travel cot ready downstairs for some time out... Good idea?

Lordy, I'm an assistant headteacher and can handle a class full of lively 11 year olds, but this has me stumped...

just read title and sounds like i'm the one doing the hitting, biting etc.

oops..

Sounds like pretty standard boy stuff... 18 months is just about getting to time-out-able. I would start to use the travel cot, but only for a minute or two at a time, and don't use it for everything. Some things are non-negotiable - the carseat, holding hands to cross the road etc - but other things aren't too bad. Let him destroy books and throw things if he wants to (especially if you can find him some toys that can be thrown and torn apart), but biting and hitting are no-nos - I would definitely use the cot for those.

Thanks! Have used it for the violent stuff and he is now GIVING BACK STUFF HE'S SNATCHED! Bit of a breakthrough. Holding hands thing bit of an issue as is hitting when putting in the car seat. When he's lying on the pavement it usually ends up with me carrying him, screaming, either into the pushchair or to wherever we're going. I know this will improve with time - he just wants to explore everywhere.

Potty training his 2.6 sister tomorrow. Wish me luck!