My toddler keeps hitting me all the time, no punishment phases him.

[anonomam]

My two year old is three in November. He will not stop hitting me, he does hit others occasionally but mostly me, it's driving me mad, I've tried the naughty step, I tell him off firmly, I've put him to bed, taken him out of situations and made him sit he literally is not bothered at all when I punish him, nothing bothers him to make him stop doing it! I don't know what to do.

I'm currently sat in my bedroom whilst I've put him in his cot for repeatedly slapping me in the face and he's just sat singing unbothered...

He doesn't seem to hit his dad or others much like I said, for whatever reason I'm a punching bag to him. I would understand more if he was doing it out of frustrated emotions or upset but he isn't he just keeps hitting me out of nowhere. Beyond stressed with him doing it now as there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it.

This is (relatively) normal for two year olds.

Keep going.

It takes months and years for the no hitting message to sink in and it sounds like you are doing the right thing. This

It sounds like he's trying to attract/keep your attention. Does he do it if your engaged with him e.g. playing, or if you are trying to do other things? It may have become a bit of a game.

If your discipline is firm, consistent and having no effect, I’d look on it as a sensory issue and try increasing proprioceptive input and see if that helps.

There are lots of OT websites with ideas, but things that involve deep sensation - bouncing, jumping, rolling, swimming, wrestling,
as well as activities that require a bit of effort - pulling, pushing, carrying something heavy.

I would disagree that it is normal for an about to turn 3 year old.

Consistent discipline, consequences, corrective actions are necessary, but so is meeting his needs. Is he particularly active? He might need a lot more physical activity than you realise.

The children I know at this age who lash out need an ungodly amount of physical exercise and time outdoors. They are literally like puppies who will also nip and bite when they don't get enough time outdoors to run around.

I would increase his time outdoors and see if it makes a difference. My son is the same age and is most content when he's been out in the woods or at the beach all day. Structured groups/classes are all well and good, but really they're happiest roaming about like little wild animals in the mud and dirt. They need it right to their very bones.

My son used to hit me most of the time from the age of around 2 to 3 years. He gave me a black eye once and also made my lip bleed. He was pretty big and strong for his age. It used to reduce me to tears because, like the OP, I tried everything to stop it. Nothing I did made any difference. He grew out of it but it was bloody soul destroying whilst it lasted.