My 14 1/2 month old son is starting to hit people. How do I get him to stop?

Question

This started like 3 weeks ago out of no where he just start hitting people. Not real hard or anything just a hit. He is not hitting people with anything though just his hand. I personally don't think that he understands what he is doing. I tell him over and over .... That's a no no ... Don't do that .... That hurts .... Its not nice.... I have even spanked him on his hand for it and he will still turn and hit me back while crying himself? What do I do?

Answer 1

Be persistent. Hitting is not good. You are absolutely right.
You are definitely trying to be a good parent here.
Don't let your child's defiant challenge to your authority cause you to yield. Keep doing what you're doing as many times as needed. Eventually, he'll quit and you'll have won the contest of wills for the both of you.

Answer 2

A firm No - then pull him away from the person he is hitting. Isolate him for a few minutes. Repeat that procedure everytime he hits. It won't be too long before he connects the dots.

A little lecture that we don't hit people after the No! Will help reinforce the idea that his action was disapproved. He won't understand the lecture, but he will get the idea that mommy didn't like what he did.

Consistency is important. Do it everytime he hits.

Answer 3

Use the same method every time you correct him for this behavior. I suggest this--Firmly take hold of his hand, look directly at him (make sure he is looking at you as well), tell him "Do not hit people" in a very firm voice (not raised), then have him apologize. If during this correction he attempts to hit you, hold both hands at his sides, firmly, and repeat "Do not hit people" then have him sit in a "naughty chair" for about 2 minutes. Let him up, have him repeat to you that he should not hit.

Use the same method everytime without fail and you will soon be able to extinguish the behavior.

Answer 4

"I have even spanked him on his hand for it" Oh that's great, teach a kid NOT to hit by hitting the child. The simplest and easist thing to do is hold onto his hands and say one word..."NO". He doesn't understand "that's a no no, don't do that, that hurts" he is only 15 months old. And he has to be reminded not to hit because his attention span isn't that of an adult. Hitting him is only going to reinforce the notion that hitting is okay. Thanks mom.

Answer 5

My 15 month old does that. I take his hand and make him pet whatever he hits and say "nice, nice". He doesn't understand, but one day he will. He thinks he funny. When he hits something, it's mainly me, my husband and the dog, he looks at me and smiles, like he's proud of himself. So of course I say no, and try to give him an alternative (petting).

Answer 6

I think all kids go through it my daughter has been going through it for a couple of months she is 16 months no matter what i tell her she keeps doing it and time out don't work either i think as long as you keep on telling him it's wrong he will stop it or grow out of the phase.

Answer 7

Well he probalby in that growth were he has that feeling that he wants too hit someone. He probalby seen somebody did that and he figure it out babies learns faster by watching someone else.

Answer 8

If you hit him back, you are sending him a message but not the one you want.

Hitting him back says "Mommy does it, so I can do it."

When he does it again, give him a firm "No!" Loud enough to startle him.

If he does it again in a short period of time, say "We do not hit, time out." And give him an age appropriate time out, usually a minute.

Don't resort to smacking him, it doesn't make any sense!