Toddler hitting me. Please help.

[pastacaring]

My 2.5 year old ds is constantly hitting me, screaming and shouting. Tonight he kicked me really hard in the chest and I'm at a loss as to what to do. I have 4 children and he is my youngest. I have never experienced this with my other children and I am struggling. I am now sat here crying with frustration in one room whilst he is crying, shouting and screaming. How can I help him? I am starting to dread my time with him and its making me really sad.

This sounds really rough and so hard to manage with other children to care for. Do you have any idea what might be the root cause of his behaviour? Frustration, jealousy, tiredness, overstimulation etc? I've found the book 'How to talk so little kids will listen' helpful in dealing with meltdowns and difficult behaviour. Sending hugs.

Would totally second that book recommendation, I would say he's trying to tell you something and if you can get to the bottom of it I think that might be a good starting point as to know how to help him

Thank's so much. I'll have a look for the book. I honestly can't pinpoint what is causing it, he used to be so happy and loving. We all spent such a lot of time with him over the lockdown, maybe he's unhappy because we're all not around as much. We noticed his behaviour gets worse after nursery, so maybe he's unhappy there. He used to really enjoy it though. I work with children and have studied behaviour, but I don't seem to be able to make him happy.

Sounds like it's linked to nursery and maybe the change in time available post lockdown. Could just be the change in his little world which is going to seem massive to him. Can you give him a bit more one on one time?