7 months old and already has an temper

Tami - posted on 08/07/2010

If you had a $300 pair of glasses or expensive earrings in you would be more definite in what you want. You do not let them damage things and training them not to touch glasses, tug earrings or pull hair when they are little will help them later on.

Maria - posted on 08/05/2010

My daughter is older..23 months to be exact. However, we also have been experiencing her testing the limits with us. I'm sure that is also the stage that your son is going through. With our daughter we give her a firm "NO!" and if she does it again such as slapping us or pinching us, we say "No again and try and show her what a good touch is versus a bad touch like her slapping or pinching. However, if she still is not obeying and following through with a good touch to us or pets, then we send her to her room. She usually understands that she is being disciplined and cries. This often suffices as discipline for her and she gets the message that this is not acceptable behavior...The other thing we have been trying with her is showing her good touches with pets and others and when she does that we reward her with something she likes like Teddy grahams or her other favorite gummy bears! I'd try this with your son. It's worth a try atleast. Good Luck!

Alison - posted on 08/05/2010

Think training rather than disciplining at this stage. It is not malicious, he is exploring his environment and experimenting with cause and effect. Humans are interactive beings, and babies/toddlers look for ways of provoking reactions before they have the means to communicate.

Encourage soft, gentle touch. When he grabs your face take his hand and firmly say "no". Do not give him a dramatic reactions, b/c that may encourage the behavior. Then immidiately take his hand and caress your face, saying "gentle", and showing him by your smile and tone of voice that you enjoy that.

Marline - posted on 08/05/2010

He is just experiencing/getting to know things - at that age they are still very much inquisitive so I dont think it should be a problem. maybe wait for a few more months and then see.

Alexandria - posted on 08/04/2010

my youngest had a horrible temper at that age and would even bang his head on things then my mom told me that when he started acting up do something to make him laugh to take his mind off of what made him mad and it really worked

Eronne - posted on 08/04/2010

Hold your breath and keep the goal in mind! My son actually threw his first major temper tantrum in the nursery at the hospital. I left with my newborn and lots of condolences from the nurses. Little did I know how bad it would get. His temper was unbelievable and didn't change much until he was around 6. You have to teach him about personal space as soon as possible lest his natural predisposition to this behavior causes pain or discomfort to others. Time outs never worked for me because David's screams sounded like he was being tortured and I was afraid the neighbors would report me to child welfare. The only thing that did work was distraction and I had to be constantly one step ahead of him. I eventually was able to read his mood and got ready for him before he knew what he was up to. Repetition helps. Hold is hands when he grabs at you and whatever words choose, always use the same ones. 7 months is not to young to start trying to teach him better behavior.

Sarah - posted on 08/04/2010

That's Normal. The Baby Is Just Exploring, Memorizing Your Facial Features. My Son Does That Also. He Smiles And Grabs At You Face & Tries To Kiss You. He, However, Only Does It With People He Has Met Before. He Also Likes To Hug! It's A Stage & It Will Pass. Telling Your Baby No Is A Discipline Action. They Will Understand What No Means In Time. Just Be Patient. (:

Tiffany - posted on 08/04/2010

he's starting to learn and explore, i think marcy said it well that you cant disipline him at this age. my daughter is now 16 months and she still grabs our face, pinches etc. but she knows its not right.we take her hand and tell her no now, hes learning dont let him get too carried away though cuz when they do start grabbing and pinching it does hurt. and dont feel bad if he does do it to someone else theyll understand he's a baby and if not then do u really want them that close to your son.

Marcy - posted on 08/04/2010

He's just experimenting....checking out his new life. When he does something like grab your face just take his little hands in yours and tell him gently and put them back on your face and tell him "Gentle". Its so much better to show him what is right vs. saying no. in regards to touching everything again, he is just checking things out. At 7 months whatever is in his reach is something that you have put there so just move it out of the way. Baby proof so you won't be worried and so you don't need to say no. He is way to young for any form of discipline or boundary setting.