Can someone tell me if this sounds like normal 15month old behaviour.

[girlylala0807]

Ds is nearly 15 mo. He has this amazing little personality and has us in fits of laughter at times. We love him alot.

However, a couple of months ago at nursery he began to hit other children and sit on them . He hits me as well, and dh. He will sit on my knee and smack me really hard over the face over and over. He also nips my neck.

All I do at the moment is hold his arms and say no or put him down and ignore him. There have been suggestions from dh and relatives its time to start smacking him. I do not want to do this at all. We were battered as children (me and my brother) while im fine my brothers life is somewhat crazy (foster care/jail) and I believe that was caused partly by smacking.

So what do i do. Dh thinks he is defiant, Im not sure a 15mo can be but I also dont know what to do.

Any ideas ladies?

It's normal. Keep doing what you are doing then when he's about 2 you can try time out as well. Don't hit as that will make him think hitting is fine so will give the opposite message than you actually want to convey.

Thank you,

I certainly wont hit him.

He also hits himself on the head alot. Is this also normal?

It's common I think. My ds went through a phase of whacking himself on the head. He never does it now, I think it was frustration more than anything else.

My ds is 17 mo and sometimes hits and nips the way you describe. I don't know for sure that it's normal as he's my first, but am presuming they all do things like this at some point or another so just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

From the psychology reading I've done I would say he is definitely not being defiant, just experimenting with behaviour to see what reaction it will get. If you smack him back, all he'll learn is that it seems to be OK to hit - the opposite message from the one you want to send to him.

If he hits or nips I just grab his hands and say 'No' very sharply, then put him down and try not to react further as that just eggs him on and he thinks it's a game. It sounds like you're doing exactly the same. What do the nursery staff say about it - they must have loads of experience of this?

sounds normal, It sounds like you are doing the right things, a firm no and either remove him from situation or walk away.

sounds normal - i found 15-20 months was harder for me than 2. my ds was frustrated too i think - he calmed down when he started properly talking at around 2.

Thank you for the comments.

The nursery remove him from the situation and tell him no.

I will have to ensure everyone understands my feelings about smacking and get them told its not to happen!