Help with hitting

[Skippy918]

My son is about 2.5 and he's gotten into this bad habit of when he's frustrated or doesn't get his way, he hits.  It's usually furniture or one of us.  I've tried giving him a time out every time he does it but it doesn't seem to be working.  Are there any other tactics I can try?  Thanks!

[chaimom]

I have twin boys and when they were about 3, one of them would hit the other when he was frustrated. I wouldn't say it was ever really hard, but it upset his brother, of course, and it wasn't the appropriate response.  What finally worked is that I took away his beloved lovey for a day any time he hit his brother.  This son LOVES that stuffed animal, so it was a severe consequence. I would find your son's "currency" and put that object or activity in peril.  But at the same time, why is it inappropriate to hit a couch?  He's still learning to express himself, so IMO, as long as its not a person or animal being hit, and nothing's being broken, there's nothing wrong with being frustrated.