GD response to 20mo pulling hair/biteing

[mommabear207]

i thought we were over this but lately in certain energetic moods (it seems like hes trying to do stuff he knows is off limits) ds has been starting to pull my hair again. its long and usually in a pony tail. ds will grab a hold of it anyway he can including with his teeth and won't let go! I have to pry each finger open and hope i don't lose too much. also while doing this he often tries to bite me- particularly on my back. saying no, stop, please don't it hurts me doesn't work. in fact any response gets a gleeful grin but i can't just sit there either. WWYD? thanks

[2cutiekitties]

I have a 20 month old and I also thought we had moved on from that phase, but he is back with a vengeance.


Sometimes, I will distract him with a funny look when he is in the middle of the act and that will get a giggle which makes him forget what he is doing. So far that has worked the most.

[preggymeaggy]

I am not sure. I just posted my own question on a similar topic (help me protect my DD and my cats from eachother). My DD is 20 months also. She is not really biting hard or anything. She has bitten my finger in a playful moment..nothing big. But what she is doing is beginning not to listen at all! As I said in my post, I get very frustrated because she is usually very easy going and willing to listen. This is the first real time she has challenged me on anything. Maybe it's just the time that they start doing this.

I have heard that toddlers challenge what you say (try to rebel with a smile of glee) because they are testing where their boundaries lay. It's been said that too many options (decisions, choices) can frustrate and even anger a young toddler. Perhaps preventing that frustration by redefining their boundaries is the thing to do. Question is how do you do that calmly, effectively, and certainly not in an angry or demeaning way?

I know I'm not being much help for you. Just wanted to say that I kind of understand your frustration. It's hard to figure out what to do. Hope someone else responds.