Please help... desperately seeking advice

[Icequeen_in_ak]

my DD, 15 months has recently started throwing EVERYTHING and it just so happens that everything she throws ends up hitting me in the face : I've just cleaned up my second bloody lip in the last hour.

I have tried using "gentle hands" which is what we do when she hits, with no success. I have tried holding her hands so she can't throw, which infuriates her. I've tried asking her not to throw, that it hurts mommy and finally, at wits end, I picked up every single thing in the house that was hard or that she could throw and put it all away, leaving her with only her cloth books. I'm not feeling very comfortable with the last option, but I had not a nerve left to effectively deal with being hit again.

She's dealing with a lot of different things right now. I'm very sick, and she's been nursing CONSTANTLy which leads me to believe that her little body is telling her to load up so she doesn't get sick. She's teething and her daddy recently (in February) left and won't be back until July. The agressive throwing just started in the last couple of days.

What can I do?? I'm at a loss

[Dal]

She actually made you bleed. Twice! Yikes! I'm not looking forward to when Simon does the same. He hasn't quite got the throwing thing down pat yet.

Advice? I haven't been in your shoes. If I were I'd be fighting urges to be nonAP in a big way. That would be so hard!!! Kudos to you for keeping your cool. Some GD stuff I've read has no problem with raising your voice and indicating how upset you are about the behaviour (e.g., _How to Talk So Your Kids Listen and Listen So Your Kids Talk_). I think the key is to make sure that you aren't yelling at her, but about what has rightfully p*'d you off. Maybe let your genuine reaction come out? If it really hurts, then perhaps a loud "OW!!! That hurts mommy!!! We don't throw hard toys! Let's find something soft for you to throw." would be in order. I haven't decided how I feel about this yet, but it may be worth a shot and I'd love to hear what others here think about what to do in this situation. Simon is also teething and has tried to bite me. I try not to say "OW!" -- when I have done so by instinct, it really upset him. Then again, though, this seems to be a very natural reaction and may be appropriate especially in your circumstance when the behaviour is becoming such a huge problem.

Wish I could be more helpful.

Good luck!!!

[mummamilk]

I don't think there was anything wrong with taking away everything hard.

I would try to evaluate why she is doing this. (tired, angry, hungry, bored etc).
Throwing is fun. Give her plenty of opportunity to do this.

If she is angry and throws things I would have her clean up the mess.

Oh and get better at ducking!

[famousmockngbrd]

One thing that worked for us when DS was in that stage was substitution - "This is not for throwing, it's too hard. Here is something soft you can throw." Take away the hard thing, give her the soft thing. Maybe stock up on Nerf balls.

It sounds like you have a lot going on. I'm sure that is hard on both of you. I hope you feel better soon.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I know what it's like to be a single mom and sick It's OK to put anything that could hurt or break away for now. When you are feeling better you could round up, make or buy some more things that are throwable so your little one will have a choice of things to play with.

Think of frequent nursing as a good thing. Your child is occupied and can't be throwing things at you!

[annethcz]

We don't throw toys inside. Period. Anything that is thrown is taken away.

I usually only have to take 2-3 toys away before my kids stop throwing.

[gaialice]

About taking toys away, well, I am not sure how well that works. Yesterday, my 2,5 old dd had a major throwing fit. I removed what she was throwing. She started throwing other things. I put her in another room. She found more things to throw. Of course, at her age, she can climb on top of things and just throw from there. I just could not figure out any place in our apartment where there wasn't anything to be thrown. I tried holding her, and she started hitting me. Eventually redirecting her to another activity is what actually worked. However, at this point, I felt it was more bribing than redirecting (it was my DH who invited her to join him and DD1 on the balcony for a soap balls session). Sooo frustrating.... Sorry, I realize my post is not very supportive, hugs to you
Mom to 2-year-old : and 4-year old :

[Icequeen_in_ak]

Originally Posted by annethcz

We don't throw toys inside. Period. Anything that is thrown is taken away.

I usually only have to take 2-3 toys away before my kids stop throwing.

I don't think that is a reasonable option for us, as we live in the middle of Alaska, where it gets 50 below for weeks and weeks on end. The kids don't get any time outside Everything they do is indoors....

I did purchase many nerf balls and each time she throws an inappropriate toy, I tell her as suggested above "this toy is not for throwing, but you can throw this toy". It was worked pretty well!

[sweetest]

Ouch mama! Let your dd know that what she is doing hurts you. Its taken mine a few months, but shes finally getting it (with her its kicking us while changing her diaper). When dd slaps, kicks, etc dh and I make a point of saying "-----ing hurts" (kicking, hitting, etc) and putting on the sad face


As the pps said, substution is great! We have a big, soft ball for kicking in the house.

What has helped me is to remember at this age they have no impluse control, so its better to put them in an environment they can act on their impulses without hurting themselves - and YOU!

I hate, hate, hate being hit and I have had to really work on reacting to dd calmly when she hurts me. ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))