After about 6 months of frustrating GD'ing with my toddler we have had a breakthrough!
Of course, like all little ones, he was experimenting with hitting and pulling hair etc. Since about 12 months old, especially when he gets tired and is winding down, he starting getting "hyper hands" as we call it.
I would zen through and say over and OVER and over and OVER - "Ow that hurts mama, be GENTLE" and I'd take his hands and stroke his face and my face gently. Then I would say, "kisses are gentle, kisses make mama happy" etc and I would also do "what can we do with busy hands? Let's clap, let's high five, etc"
It would just go into a black hole.
Some days it would get so frustrating and he'd laugh and keep going - I'd have to leave a room for a few minutes to keep my cool.
DS is 18 months old now.
Well... the other night we had some hyper hands again (which happens less and less now) And I went through the routine.
He stopped cold! He took his own hands, stroked his face and said "gentahh" and then kissed me and clapped!!!!!
That was that. He stopped and calmed down right away. This has happened now several times! YAY!
I just wanted to share and say HANG IN THERE and it will work!
(let's just hope it sticks
)
Of course, like all little ones, he was experimenting with hitting and pulling hair etc. Since about 12 months old, especially when he gets tired and is winding down, he starting getting "hyper hands" as we call it.
I would zen through and say over and OVER and over and OVER - "Ow that hurts mama, be GENTLE" and I'd take his hands and stroke his face and my face gently. Then I would say, "kisses are gentle, kisses make mama happy" etc and I would also do "what can we do with busy hands? Let's clap, let's high five, etc"
It would just go into a black hole.
Some days it would get so frustrating and he'd laugh and keep going - I'd have to leave a room for a few minutes to keep my cool.
DS is 18 months old now.
Well... the other night we had some hyper hands again (which happens less and less now) And I went through the routine.
He stopped cold! He took his own hands, stroked his face and said "gentahh" and then kissed me and clapped!!!!!
That was that. He stopped and calmed down right away. This has happened now several times! YAY!
I just wanted to share and say HANG IN THERE and it will work!
(let's just hope it sticks
)
It really renews your faith that kids try to do the "acceptable" thing, a bit, doesn't it?
