33months-hitting-hurting

[kittn]

my 33 month old has developed some acting out behaviors. he hits when he is angry, not hard but still. I have simply been telling him "oh we don't hit,gentle hands, show me gentle hands" I have so far been able to remain calm.

however, the other day,he lost it ,i held his hands because he just kept trying to hurt me. normally i woud have walked away but we were at a pizza place.his response was he headbutted me. in the nose/lip. hard enough that i cried. he saw me upset and went into a frenzie. i ended up switching sides with my friend and told him he couldnt sit with me if he was going to hurt me. mind you this was also 2 days before i gave birth.

how can i handle this in the future?

[bl987ue]

He is nearly 3. At our house, hitting is one of those behaviors that is Right Out. You hit, you sit. And you are correct in staying calm! Nothing fires up a kid faster than a parent losing it. BUT, and this is a big BUT--he hurt you, and there is nothing wrong with showing that it hurt and it made you sad. He is getting old enough to realize that he needs to be gentle with everybody.