Hi all.
My son is turning 2 in april for the last month or so he has been hitting me when he is frustrated or not getting his own way. He is generally a little angel and I think he's picked up hitting from daycare. Though he never hits other kids or anyone else so I would really like to address this issue before it becomes a normal thing for him to do. So my question what do other mums do with kids this age? At the moment when he hits i tell him he hurt me i don't like and please dont hit anymore he will then kiss where he hit and give me a hug should i be doing anything else? Is this just an age thing do i have to ride it out?
2 year olds behaviour
2 year olds behaviour
Posted in:
Education, Behaviour, Baby & Toddler
2 Replies
It's an age thing most kids hit wether they have seen other kids do it or not. Don't give in to his demand if he has hit, and try to avoid him making contact without any fuss. For example just bring out of arms reach when he doesn't get his way.
It starts as lashing out and then becomes a bit of a habit. So breaking the cycle of the habit helps :)
You're handling it pretty well. I tend to use something like catching his hands as he goes to hit you and saying "Wow! You're upset that I wouldn't let you do xyz. It's okay to be upset, but I won't let you hit! Can you show me gentle hands?"
Yes, it's an age thing. It's to do mostly with limited language and BIG feelings they have. They're overwhelmed because they haven't learned how to process those feelings yet and it literally floods their brains. Show him a better way to express himself (if my daughter is angry at something, or at me, we stomp feet and punch pillows; she knows it's okay to punch pillows but not people) and give praise and hugs to let him know you support him. The worst thing you can do is isolate him in this moment. He doesn't have the capacity to deal with on his own.