Hitting, pulling hair, aggressivness in 18 mo old DS

[walking burp cloth]

So, what do you do? Often, when tired, hungry, teething, or wants to be outside, this type of stuff happens. Redirection and distraction works if there is nothing to be done. But if there is a carseat involved or a diaper change (which we do a lot of standing diaper changes), food to be cooked, you name it, and he is not feeling 100%, then he can be pretty aggressive. If there is opportunity, I can turn it into a playful time of tickling and wrestling, but the mood has to be right.

I find myself often saying "you need to be gentle (kind, careful) with me", "Thats not nice and it hurts me". And showing him with my hand what I mean. Usually he hits my hand away. Try to validate his feelings "you seem pretty angry." "Hey! we're getting in the carseat so we can go to the park!"

It can be so tiring! My daughter was not like this, so I am taken a bit off gaurd. He is quite physical in other ways, so I make sure he gets plenty of outside time to work it off. Just a phase? Or am I missing something.

It stinks when I am trying to get him in the carseat and he is smacking me in the face! If I want to get him in I feel I have to endure it. ugh.

I know this is compulsive behavior, and he does not have it out for me, but what do you do in the meantime until they figure out this stuff.

[mom2grrls]

You work around the times he is tired, hugry, etc until it passes. Nap/bedtime have always been very sacred in this house and I rarely disturbed it. I normally made sure we either ate before we went somewhere or I had snacks ready if needed. A crockpot is also nice for when children are young b/c you can prepare dinner earlier when kids are happier