3 Year Old Hitting- Help!

[bdoody11]

X-posted in Gentle Discipline


My DD has been hitting me lately when she doesn't get what she wants. I am at a complete loss of what to do. I've tried time outs or isolating her (or myself) when she does it. I've also tried "use your words" or getting her to verbally express her frustrations.

I have a feeling she is doing this because she can't express herself fully yet, but it worries me. I have a new baby coming in June and she isn't going to get what she wants when she want it. Part of me thinks she'll grow out of it when she matures, but I just can't let it go. Other part of me is afraid she'll turn into a bully.

How much of this is developmentally appropriate 3 year old stuff? How do you handle it? I want to find a gentle loving way to discipline her that can be consistent.

Thanks.

[AkRotts]

My almost 3yo (she will be 3 next month) has recently taken to hitting, biting and kicking me when she gets really frustrated. I usually tell her that she *hurt* me and then remove myself from the situation. The majority of the time she stops what she is doing and tells me she is sorry for hitting me.

I really do think it is just a phase they are going thru and I don't think it means they will be a bully. I seem to remember Carson 3 1/2 going thru a phase like this right around the time he turned 3.