Someone please help me :(
My 20 month old hits people a lot.
She specifically aims for the face and finds it funny.
I won't hit her for it. I don't agree that hitting for hitting teaches that it's wrong.
I've tried time outs, if she hits with an object I take it away. I've tried showing it hurts by pretending to cry or rubbing where she hit and saying ouch that hurts mummy.
I'm lost for where to go now.
I'm not really interested in being told its a phase or that she's just a baby and it will pass. This has been ongoing for months. She knows what she's doing and I feel like a failure of a parent because of this.
How to stop child hitting
How to stop child hitting
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt, Behaviour, Baby & Toddler, Kids
4 Replies
My twins went through this stage. I would say very firmly "no! We don't hit" PUT HER DOWN. Do not give her any attention whatsoever. It's important that friends and family do this as well so she gets the message. At first she will think it's funny, a game. You might think it's not working but just keeping doing it. Don't even talk to her after you have told her no. After a minute say to her, mummy loves you but it hurts mummy when you hit. Toddlers love attention. Once she realises she isn't getting attention she will stop. I assure you but it's so important you are consistent.
Put her down, tell her "I won't let you hit me, hitting hurts."
Also show gentle hands, "We don't hit, gentle hands" take her hands and show her how to touch gently. Be consistent. It's a stage and you just need to be on it where possible.
Don't feel like a failure! Just my opinion but I feel most of the time it is done out of frustration... At that age they have trouble expressing themselves. I really focused on telling my daughter to use her words and I found 99% of the time all she wanted was attention so now she just comes to me and asks straight out for a "mummy cuddle" :-) now she tells me to "use my words" LOL!
Sorry also this sort of progress was only made after "time out" and doing it consistently. Did t take long at all. It has taught her how to express what it is she actually wants. Single full time working mama here so it is usually just her asking to take a breather and stop the rush and fuss of a busy week. :-)