my 22 months old son keeps hitting me what do i do?

Question

I'm a mother of a 22 months old son .He hits me and scratches my face . No amount of No's and firmness or hitting him back is helping me to rectify him .I don't want him to grow up as a violent child . pls advise me what do i do ?

Answer 1

You had better put a stop to that right away. I saw the same thing with a young mother and child about that same age recently, in a doctor's office. Get some help from your Mother or Grandmother in this. You cannot, allow that child to continue with this type of behavior.

Answer 2

First i will say stop hitting him back, it may be just a little irony that you say "No, Don't hit!" and then turn around and hit him back. With each firm no we do not do that, you need to say that hurts mommy and we do not want to hurt mommy. Next, if you are holding him, first time tell him no and let him no that you will put him down if he does it again. Then on the 2nd one you say no and you put him down. Then you tell him that the next time he will sit in time out. (Yes time out for a 22 month old...I do it with mine) Then when it happens you place in time out and you sit with him and sing the ABC's 3 or 4 times and then tell him that it hurts to be hit and scratched and when he does it again he will go to time out. This is a phase, and if you want your child to grow up nonviolent then you need to be non violent. If you want him to stop this behavior that he has now, then set the routine for the consequences and stick to them. Make sure you are consistent and it will end in a few days. Good luck and I know it is hard sometimes, but you will make it through all the stages of toddler hood. Been there and still doing it with child 3.

Answer 3

We have a friend who is a child psychologist. She says to give "bear hugs" which involve putting your child right up against you and holding with your arms AND legs tight until they settle down. It is total restraint without being violent yourself. When they calm down release your hold. Actually call it a bear hug and after 2 or 3 times you should be able to say "do you want a bear hug" and it gives him the choice to settle down or get a hug. Worth a try anyway? Hopefully it is a phase... Good luck and contact a child psychologist if you need help. At your son's age bad behavior can be wiped out before it becomes part of their personality. You are wise to want to get a handle on it now for all of you.

Answer 4

Joan is right. You have to get a handle on it. You need to do something more than a no.. Start to tkae away the things he really likes to do. Toys, TV what ever. Make him sit in a corner or some other punishment.
And STICK TO IT. A child will pick up on you being soft and will use it to their advantage.

Answer 5

My son used to do this all the time. It's very important to nip it right now! When he hits you grab his hand forcefully but genty(just make it shock him, when you grab his arm). Then say "Don't hit!" then put him on a time out for 2minutes. When the two minutes are up, go over to him, get down to eye level and Say, I put you in a time-out because you wre hitting, have him say sorry and then let hi up. Do this every time!!!! It can up to 20 times before it sinks in. But it does work.

Answer 6

let me guess, white upper middle class mom right?
When are you people going to learn that YOU are the parent, HE is the child?
When you say no, the kid has to hear in your voice that something really terrible is going to happen if he doesn't knock it off. And back that unsaid threat up, whether its by a hit back (I mean more than a tap on the wrist, a good swat to the backside is what I mean) or taking a favored toy. But for gods sakes lady,control your kid! Teenagers can do this, you can too.