Aggressive Toddler

QUESTION:

I have a very bright energetic 17 month old boy. I recently attended one of the Positive Parenting seminars and purchased The First Three Years book. I love this style of parenting and work hard to provide a positive environment for my child. But lately he has increased his level of aggression. What is particularly troublesome is when we go to a store. When a sales person (stranger) approaches us he arches his back and lets out a scowl and turns bright red. If he is holding something he will throw it at them. He even will pull their hair if in reach. I’m not sure what is going on or how to handle it. I’ve resorted to not going out with him. I even have stopped going to my play group because not only is it exhausting for me to constantly “save” the other children from him (hair pulling, pushing, biting) but I also walk away feeling bad about myself as a parent and bad about him because he acts out much more than any other child there. It seems as if a lot of the articles I have read deal with children who are older, but what do you do with a younger child?

ANSWER:

Hello …
My name is Mary Hughes, and I am a Certified Positive Discipline Associate. My background is in Child Development (preschool teacher for over 30 years and professor at our community college for 17 years), and I am a grandparent of some very head-strong grandchildren, so I can relate well to your situation.