Chasing Boys at the Playground

At 14 mos, it is difficult to teach her how to be appropriate. It would probably be best to distract her from the children at the playground by engaginer her in play. Then, when a child is close to her and she want so hug, perhaps teach her to invite a hug by stretching out her arms. Other 14month-olds may recognize that as an invitation to hug and respond. If they choose not to hug, mommy can give her a hug and lots of lovin'.

As far as hitting other children,I think another response mentioned, that your child does what you do. So, if it is ok for mommy to pop her hand, it is ok for her to pop other children, mommy, daddy whoever. Children do what they are taught. When she is popped in the hand, she learns that it is ok to pop someone in the hand when they do something you don't like. She doesn't understand that she could get seriously hurt touching something. But she is learning that mom will hurt her and that it is ok to hurt others.

Another thought, since the outlets are covered, dhe could safely touch it. Her fascination with it could be the attention she gets when she goes near it. If the outlet got no reaction, no danger warning, no hitting no alarms went off. Why in the world would she want to touch it. It doesn't do anything, it's not shiny. The outlet itself holds no attraction. The attraction is the reaction it gets.

Just my thoughts.
K.
mom to two

she is imitating you....
personally I don't believe that popping the hands helps- she is too young to have impulse control- that's what it takes to not do something that you shouldn't do- unfortunately what works is constant re-direction and example giving- so if she goes forthe ligh socket you have to get up, gently and firmly take her away from there & say "NO! DANGER!!!" as you remove her- she might think this is a game :(
so you just have to try & redirect and when you totally are losing patience- go outside, change rooms, initiate some other activity...she'll get it...
as for hugging strangers, I would again go after her and remove her from the situation- but at the playground if she's hugging I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing- she's happy! plenty of time later to explain to her, when she can really understand/comprehend, about strangers, etc...
this really helped/helps me:
http://goybparenting.com/?page_id=40
and all the links on the left as well

hang in there! ENJOY that sweet girl!
~L.

ETA (deited to add): correcting typos ;)

It's perfectly appropriate for your baby girl to want to touch things. Remember she is going to mimic what you do in reference to touching things. You are basically telling her that the world is off limits. I understand tapping her hand when you don't want to touch things that aren't safe; however you do have the items covered and she is getting a rise out of you.

I have been through this with my son and it is game for them.

As for the hugging, enjoy it. Your little girl sounds so sweet. At this age, it's totally appropriate. My son and I take classes together and the kids hug and kiss all the time. He has a friend who is an eight month old baby girl and she likes to give kisses and hugs too.

Sounds like she has an affectionate family and just wants to share her happiness and love. You did say she hugs some girls but mostly boys. Maybe there's more boys on the playground.

Stop popping her hand, please. I've always heard it can hurt their ability to write later on. Try saying NO! in a firm voice and taking her away from the source of curiosity. About the hugging, I find it endearing, while sometimes other children will find it strange for some stranger to do it. I guess it's a phase and it will go away.

As far as the playground and her chasing boys I would not worry too much kids at that age do that. They find other children interesting and they copy what they see as a mommy you hug your kids she's simply copying what she knows. As for the hitting you might not like it but again she is copying what she sees and knows. You hit her she hits in return. I feel there are other ways to teach her not to do things such as get socket covers to keep her from playing with them or redirect her attention ... oh look at this toy honey come play with this. I don't totally disagree with spanking so don't get me wrong but at 14 months I honestly feel there are other ways to deal with things.