Hello and hitting

[OJazzy1]

Hello all! I am new to this forum... I have a 14 1/2 month old son. He is my first.

He is just getting in to the stage where he is exerting his personality and choices by screaming, throwing fits and now, hitting.

Ideas for how I should start using discipline in these areas? Has anyone used corner standing at this age? I know grabbing hands and saying touch softly and such, but what about when he is red faced screaming and hitting?

TIA!

[OJazzy1]

bump.

[Lily Bea]

I am interested to hear what responses you get as well. We have a similar issue. I have a 13 month old daughter and also care for a 16 month old child. The older child has been hitting, pushing, etc. when frustrated, basically taking her frustration out on my daughter.

The parents of the older child have started time outs with their daughter (they also look after my daughter part time). I wonder whether she gets the point of this at this age?

Other strategies? Best way to use time out to get the idea across? I also try taking her hand, saying and demonstrating gentle.

(Not meaning to highjack your thread OJazzy1)

[mom2grrls]

At this age prevention and redirection are what you want to focus on. Keep things out of reach, babyproofing cabinets, rooms and whatever else isn't safe. Take them away from the activity they're doing and tell them what they can do instead. Those sorts of behaviors need time to outgrow and won't go away with any particular discipline technique.

[simplemama32]

I'm not sure this is the "right" thing to do...and I think how you handle any given situation depends on that specific situation (if that makes sense)...but FWIW, here's what we would do in the following situations --

1. DS is playfully patting my face and ends up patting too hard...I would calmly say "Ouch! Remember...use gentle touch" and then demonstrate, and then move his attention on to something else..."Hey! Let's go read your book about the bunnies!"

2. If he starts hitting because he's upset and having a tantrum...I'd say (again calmly but firmly) something like "I know you're mad, but we do not hit." If he continues, then I'll usually do one of two things...remove him from the situation, (for example, if we're in the living room, I'll take him into the bedroom and sit with him on the bed until he calms down...possibly not holding him if he's still hitting because I'm not going to sit there and let myself be whalloped, but I will sit with him and talk to him) or I sympathize with him ("I know you reeeaaally want to go outside") and then redirect ("But since it's raining, let's play in the bathtub instead!").

Mostly, I try to prevent things from escalating to the point of a tantrum. And if all else fails, then we'll nurse.

[J. Jones]

simplemama32 your answers are great! I like to opperate with the goal of building connection, and empathy. I don't want my kid to feel left alone or shamed because of their emotions.