Help me with my 14 month old and 5 year old

[PAflower]

I have a very wonderful 5 year old dd. She can be shy, loving, peaceful, helpful and sensitive. My problem is that I also have a 14 month old ds who is very spirited. He hits he when he wants her attention or if she has something he wants. I try to explain to her that he doesn't mean to hurt her, that he is young, etc but I feel bad for her because he does hurt her.
We both tell him not to hit, that it hurts, etc.
But, what else can we do?
I don't want her constantly yelling at him not to hit her and I can't ignore it even though he doesn't act like he understands us at all.
Please help.
Thanks




I posted this in gentle discipline but I wanted a lot of people to see it so I can get lots of advice!

[Kirsten]

Not too much advice but wanted to tell you I feel for you! We have a 6 year old dd and a 2 year old dd and have this same problem.... I tell the 6 year old to get herself to a safe place - go to her room to play or somewhere where the 2 year old is not. They play so well sometimes but when the younger one is frustrated she will hit. It sucks and I am right there with you! The 2 year old has been sitting on the bottom step for 2 minutes when she hits but it hasn't stopped the behavior completely yet.
Good luck finding something and tell me when you do!
Kirsten

[jeca]

I don't have much advice either but we do have the same problem. I have an almost 6boy and almost 2 year old girl and she bullies and hits alot too. I feel sorry for him cause he knows not to hit his sister but I don't want him to take all her abuse. They play great together majority of the time. I usually grab her hands look her in the eyes nd tell her "you hurt your bra bra(brother) no hit" or something along those lines. Tell her to apologize and give him a hug. He doesn't stay mad for long. I also take her away from him and make her sit by herself which she hates cause she wants to go play.It may just be a phase until they are more verbal though. I noticed the more she starts talking the less she hits and just says (or tries to say) what she wants.