Sunday, November 30, 2008

Whack!

As parents, we all have parenting pet peeves. Nose-picking, whining, spitting, etc. Among mine are screaming, taking toys away...and hitting. Oh, I can't tell you how much it annoys me when my kid hits. Which means I'm pretty much constantly annoyed lately, as that is her new preferred method of expressing frustration. Please, please tell me I'm not the only one whose child has gone through a hitting phase. Please? And if you would be so kind as to tell me how in the frick did you get them to stop.

8 comments:

Cassie said...

Ooh, ooh, Me! Me! Me!!! (Only because it is HILARIOUS what Alyssa does now) She used to always hit ME when she was mad. Smack! Right in the face. So I started putting her in her room, in time out, every. single. time. she did it. Immediately. Our routine was something like this: 1-Smack. 2-Bummer little miss, time to go to your room. 3- Kicking and screaming "let me out!" 4- Do you hit mommy? No. Ok come on out. Hee, hee. Now for the funnies. When she's ticked, her little hand comes up like she's gonna deck me a good one, it stops mid-air, and shakes. Frantically. No more hitting. It's quite funny.

Doney Days said...

Gavin started hitting at around 12 months old. I was NOT going to put up with it, so we had to start timeout really early with him. He learned pretty quick that he didn't like being buckled in his highchair facing the wall. Some people might think he's too young for timeout, but obviously he wasn't 'cause he understood. He puts himself in timeout now. It's pretty funny! The biggest advice I have for you from a mother of almost 4 is BEING CONSISTENT. Don't give her empty threats. Give her a warning and if she does it again, follow through! :)

Jen said...

D used to hit quite a bit. He still does from time to time. I dont know how he stopped I guess he just grew out of it! Hang in there!

Stephanie said...

well my kids have done all of the above! the best thing that worked for them was time outs..you just need to be persistant, or it wont work.
and i think it is just a phase they go through especually when they are trying to talk. your babe is soo cute! i cant imagine her hitting:)

Tammy said...

Oh Sam...I think every child hits this stage at one point or another. CJ did it and time out worked great for him...however I am with you it's very frustrating and annoying! How can these little children that are so sweet most of the time turn into little terrors? Mystery to me. It is a good thing that the good moments out way the tougher ones! Good luck and remember that all children have these moments even if you don't see them!

Kaarina said...

Um, my day..."Jason, no! We don't hit Gavin. Jason, no! No hitting Mommy! Jason, Jason! No! Don't hit your brother." All I can say is that the older ones only beat on eachother now, which is better then hauling off and whacking the neigbhor kid, right? I've been through it all. Time out, long talks, loosing my mind. I really have no idea what works. But, oh help me/us. I am going through it to. Hang in there sister!

Benica and Fam said...

It is funny that I looked at your blog when I did, kelden is not hitting, but holy cow it has been a week. It is nice to know that I am not the only mother that is going crazy!! It not fun, but atleast we can all give each other support.

Unknown said...

Eeek, my kids still go through this phase. It is just frought with lots and lots of time outs and constant reminders. Ver much a nursery age driven habit I'd say.