Toddler hitting - any advice or tricks?

[Constantlurker]

Hi everyone, my DD is almost 2 and has recently really ramped up the hitting. It's never normally in anger, she'll just randomly come up to us and smack us on the arm or leg etc. We have tried encouraging kind hands, ignoring, pretending it really hurt, the naughty step (which, it turns out, is now her favourite place to sit so she hits us then runs to the step). She does seem to know it's wrong and comes to us afterwards to 'kiss it better' and give us a hug, but it is relentless at the moment and I really don't want her hitting other kids in nursery etc.

Part of me knows it's a phase they go through but equally I don't want to just let it carry on unchecked so I was wondering if anyone had a magic trick to help stop it getting any worse? Or should I just grit my teeth and wait for her to grow a little and understand what she's doing? Any advice gratefully received!

Hopeful bump!

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. It will pass. My son did this for about six weeks as he turned two. It was horrible and mortifying and then it just stopped. Chin up.

Thanks for your reply! I feel better, I'll just keep on keeping on, sounds like a phase, either that or she needs boxing lessons!

There is a nice book called Hands Are Not For Hitting which helped my DS.

No advice but we are going through the same thing at the moment with our 20 month old. Hitting but also pinching and biting. Either when she wants attention or when she is feeling possessive over a toy. The bites especially are really hard and leave marks! Tried similar things to you OP but not working and I don't really know what else to do! Ideas welcome