Extreme hitting, and time out. Help NEEDED!

Ashlea - posted on 11/27/2010

When my daughter was 18 months old I was doing time outs with her and they worked just fine. But, every child is different and has different discipline needs. You just need to experiment and find a source of discipline that works for your son.

Jessi - posted on 11/27/2010

Personally I don't think time out works at this age. I don't start that until about 18 months.



I would think firmly just tell him no and divert his attention to something else. Take him away from the thing he's hitting, even if it's you. My firm no can make my nieces and nephew cry. I know that sounds terrible, but my sister lets my kids get away with A LOT! But at the same time she screams at them a lot too. Both things together (in my opinion) have created what my husband and I refer to as the HOOLIGANS. My kids don't take my no so hard, but they definitely get the idea when I say it. Firm and short, NO.



It seems strange that a kid that young is hitting so hard that he's giving black eyes. Are there things he sees at home or on TV where he would learn that? Not judging, just an idea. I've never had this problem with either kid, but I hope this helps.

Chloie - posted on 11/24/2010

my son is the same and being my second i know he probably wont learn at this stage, i tried giving his hand a little smack and he thinks its funny so i know he'll grow out of it, if not when hes old enough to understand he will be punished for it and stop

Andrea - posted on 11/22/2010

my son is the same age and I found the worst thing you can do when they do something you don't want them to do is give them attention, if your son is finding he is getting a big reaction for his behaviour he will continue doing it! At such a young age they don't understand possitive and negative they just want your attention however they can get it fastest. When my son does something I don't want him to do I tell him no in a stern voice and remove him from what he is doing, if he does it (or something else similar) again in the next few minutes I tell him no again and put him in his cot for a minute or two. It's important that when he is being good or playing with the right things you give him attention and when he is being naughty you give him basic and simple communication and ignore him as much as you can.I know how hard it can be but you have to stick with it, if you allow him to do something he will. Keep things in prospective he is only a baby, and you are a grown woman and you can stop him from doing this, if you stay in control of the siuation and continue with a punishment he will learn. Never let him think it's ok to hit anyone, you should never let your child hit you!! If you find him being agresive towards you hold his hands push him away gently DON"T let him hit you, remove him from the situation and destract him with something else to do if you have to. At that age I don't think it's a good idea to hit him back you will only be teaching him it's ok to hit. Things will get better I'm sure, all the best with it. Andrea.

Ashlea - posted on 11/22/2010

My daughter is in and out of that phase now. But, she went through it from the time she was about 13-17 months old. She is into head butting now. But, I grab her by the arms look into her eyes and tell her hitting is not nice. I put her in her room with no toys for five minutes if she hits. At 13 months she got her time out in her portable high chair sitting on the ground and I would tell her the same thing..hitting is not nice and sit her in the chair strapped in for about 2 minutes at that age. Children are like a sponge they absorb a lot and understand more than what people give them credit for. Or, you could try a pack n play if you have one..sit him in there...you can be in the same room with him..but, don't talk to him until it's time to get out of it. These are all things that I have done with my daughter and most worked really well. If my daughter gets too out of control and won't stop hitting..now mind you she is almost 2...she gets a little pop on the butt..only one! And, I sternly look at her and tell her NO..and then she sits in time out. I hope some of this helps a little bit for you. But, they say that in order for children to pick up a routine..you need to try it for 21 days and they should be good. So, find something that you think will work for your son and stick with it for about a month or so and see how he reacts to it.