Hitting/ Hair pulling

[MsChatterbox]

My 2.5 year old has started to hit and pull hair. I've read about how he's doing it for a reaction. So I try to react in a boring way. I found the most boring way (to him) is for me to sit on the stairs behind the stair gate. Anything else I try he just continues to hit and pull hair. If I go behind the gate he calms down, I get him to say sorry and then he plays with his toys.

But I feel a bit ridiculous sitting behind the gate. It's like I'm giving myself a time out. Does it sound ridiculous? Is he still "winning" in this situation by getting me to sit behind the gate? I just feel a bit lost tbh. My husband has tried other tactics such as sitting him on a step. But he finds it hilarious and will carry on hitting as soon as he's off the step. So now my husband has agreed to also sit behind a gate if our son hits him/pulls his hair.

I just want to check we're doing the right thing? Or is this a bit laughable? The plus side is because of lockdown at least no one will see us doing this!

Bump

Bump 😂

What causes the behaviour? At that age I think time out etc is more faff than it's worth, easier to have veg snacks available, water cup he can get himself, and maybe a sleep corner - comfy chair with a pillow and blanket that he can go to if sleepy or angry to just try to avoid it in the first place. We had to explain emotions as a separate thing to our toddler son they knew we weren't cross at him but needed to deal with the anger, generally by eating or sleeping.

@isthistoonosy It's generally an attention thing. If either of us are busy doing something else then it will come out of nowhere. He is smiling whilst he does it. He finds it funny. It's never an aggressive thing. He is good at expressing his emotions. Will tell me when he's happy, sad, excited or angry. I agree time outs do nothing for him. He laughs the whole time then continues at the first instant. He will happily be distracted with something like having a book read to him, but I worry by doing that in immediate response to him hitting then he's getting rewarded for it?

In the nicest way, you need to include him more in what you are doing. Even a boring job like tidying shoes into pairs while you do the real cleaning.

@isthistoonosy thanks for the advice. I appreciate it! He's always been really good at playing independently but I think with this lockdown maybe it's become too much for him so I need to keep on top of that!

My oldest was/ is similar and easily plays by himself but wants to be involved and loves to have jobs to do. Cleaning with a baby wipe, hovering, sweeping are all fun.