Toddlers and the Hitting Stage

Question:

I have a 14-month-old son and recently bought your book Positive Discipline, The First Three Years as he began to really start to show his little personality and I realized wow, I need help! I finished it tonight but still have a question and really wanted your opinion about the issue of hitting. Our son, is a very happy toddler but lately when he gets angry he will hit me and my husband in the face. We have a dog who he just loves so we are always telling him to “pat her gently”. So when he hits us we typically say, in a kind and firm manner, “we touch mommy gently.” Sometimes I add, “mommy touches you gently.” I usually grab his hand to stop him from hitting me. He hasn’t hit any other kids or family members other than me and my husband. I just wanted your opinion about how to handle this. I was trying to relate this to the section in the book on biting. Do you have any helpful suggestions with this issue? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I recommend your book to the other moms in my playgroup and they are all enjoying it too!

Thanks so much and have a great day, Lauren

Answer:

Hi Lauren,

You describe exactly what happened to me when I was taking care of my 18-month-old granddaughter when she went through her hitting stage—and you are doing exactly the right thing. Keep doing what you are doing and it will pass.

I’m including an excerpt from the book Positive Discipline A-Z on hitting. You see my story in the first booster thought. I think you’ll enjoy the format of this book that covers just about every behavior challenge you can think of.

Hitting and Spanking