We’re hit the hitting phase. How to stop almost 4yo hitting.

[Milliemoons]

Dd is almost 4. Over the last week whenever she gets angry or frustrated, she hits me. If I say no to her she also says things like “if you don’t do it, I will hit you”.

How can I handle this. At the moment, I’m saying “you mustn’t hit” and “it’s okay to be angry, but do not hit me”. I’m stating very calm, but I’m disappointed with her on the inside. I want to make sure I handle this properly.

It sounds like you practice gentle parenting?
Never works in a situation like this!
You need to get tough with her…she hits you, time out on the naughty step (or wherever)
Hits you again? You start removing her toys.
She needs to learn lashing out has consequences, not a quiet remonstration, which she clearly isn’t bothered about.

There are two parts to this- what are her triggers for getting angry/frustrated (sounds like a common occurrences)- fatigue, overwhelm, not getting her own way, hunger? All kids get angry of course but if she’s regularly hitting at 4 (which isn’t standard I don’t think) there might be something behind it.

Second part is firm instant reprimand/punishment.