https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:47:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2896474 Tue, 10 Sep 2019 07:42:36 +0000 Ajsmommy 2896474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fuzzypeaches: reviving this thread bc I am having the same issues as you did and I am wondering (praying) if it gets better? Did you find anything that helped? Did you DS just outgrow it?</p> <p>We have a 2.5 yr old and he hits ALL THE TIME. Unlike you I don't think it's a verbal frustration thing.. he just hits bc he wants to!!! His target is usually his big sister (who sometimes does deserve it for bugging him).. but a lot of times it's out of no where and for no reason. He also kicks and throws things at people.... I am the target of the kicks, usually during diaper changes and A LOT at bedtime (I lay in bed with him) and he throws everything... food/toys/his paci/anything he can get his hands on.</p> <p>I am at a loss. DD who is 5 yo was frightened of a raised voice and would stop whatever she was doing immediately but DS has NO fear of a raised voice, in fact if you raise your voice to him he actually just yells back :bummed: So that is not a solution.</p> <p>We do time outs and he does seem to get it. He'll sit and then we ask him why he's there and he'll say "my hit sis" and we will say that there is no hitting and make him apologize. But he'll be right back to it in literally seconds some times. </p> <p>At bedtime he gets so riled up that he thrashes around, hitting and kicking and flipping all over I try to calm him... I talk in a calm voice, I've tried counting and singing.. I sometimes just hug him to get his to settle but none if it really works. Honestly the only thing that has worked at bedtime and I've done it 3 times is a small pop to his bottom. He doesn't like it but it's like he finally gets that I am being serious and he'll settle... but I really don't want to do that at all!!!! </p> <p>I am at a loss..... and I feel like I am failing him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299512 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:12:42 +0000 Rockies11 2299512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do gentle discipline/the aha parenting approach for everything, but here's a good summary of her approach for hitting: <a href="http://www.ahaparenting.com/ask-the-doctor-1/aggressive-toddler" rel="nofollow">http://www.ahaparenting.com/ask-the-doctor-1/aggressive-toddler</a></p> <p>With mine, the taking things away/time-out circle does not work at all - it just creates tension and frustration for both of us. We have been having a lot more success with these methods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299396 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 13:21:38 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2299396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beckysue: it's awful!<br /> @Adira: I do the hi5 thing sometimes too which definitely helps if he's not really mad. Not pregnant but baby is 3 months and her birth definitely started some of it<br /> @MrsSRS: I am going to buy that book right now lol<br /> @Adira: @Truth Bombs: I know swatting him back doesn't help 😕 We have left gymnastics twice now due to hitting but I don't think he understands it as a consequence really. Maybe taking a toy away might help more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299321 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:39:21 +0000 Truth Bombs 2299321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely stop swatting him back. Hitting him does nothing to teach him that hitting isn't OK. I would try to find out what will be more motivating than time out. Does he have a favorite toy? Take it away if he hits. Does he like certain activitities (gymnastics, etc)... tell him he doesn't get to go if he hits. You just have to find what consequence is motivating to him . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299311 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:35:11 +0000 MrsSRS 2299311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try the book Hands are not for Hitting? Maybe try some baby signs to relieve his verbal frustration? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299310 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:33:32 +0000 Adira 2299310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a pretty common age for this, so know that it's pretty normal! And I'm not sure if your status is accurate, but if you are pregnant, that could be part of the reason too. My son definitely started acted out more when I was pregnant with my second.</p> <p>What works for us is just being consistent. Definitely don't swat him back as that will send the wrong message. If you have to do timeout after timeout after timeout, do it. Sometimes when Xander tries to hit us, I'll just whip my hand out and turn his swat into a high-five. That often will diffuse the situation.</p> <p>Hopefully others will have other ideas for you though since we also do timeouts, so I don't have any other suggestions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299306 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:31:27 +0000 beckysue 2299306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no advice as I posted a similar thread yesterday but in regards to my 1yo daughter. So, I am writing to see what advise you get and to just commiserate and tell you that you are not alone. I hope the other ladies here have some good advice for you. :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-2#post-2299294 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:20:54 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2299294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's really common but I'm at my wits end with my 2 yr old's hitting. He is not very verbal and I know some of it comes from that frustration but it is also attention seeking and sometimes just seems random. We are working on verbal skills but it's slow. </p> <p>Currently we are doing time outs and he will come say sorry and then turn around and hit again. Targets include me, nanny, dog, baby sister. Usually not dad. I have swatted him back gently a couple times to see if that helps but I don't think that made a difference and I don't like doing it as I feel it sends the wrong message.</p> <p>Any advice? Any better way to discipline him? I feel like he lives in time out right now and it's obviously not helping that much. He gets out every day to get energy out (park, drop ins, gymnastics etc) and I spend at least 2-3 h of one on one time with him (without baby sister) a day. </p> <p>It's embarrassing and frustrating and exhausting.. I don't know what's to do! I feel like I'm bending over backwards to give him the attention he needs and nothing helps. </p>