How Do I Stop My 2 Year Old from Hitting?

Updated on February 03, 2008
M.F. asks from Austin, TX
8 answers

Hi. I am the mother of a wondeful, outgoing, and stubborn 2 year old. My son has been hitting for 6 months. I need some tips on how to stop it! We have tried time-outs, reading books about hitting, removed him from the activity,watched the movie Happiest Toddler on the Block, tried using phrases "hands are not for hitting..." and "gentle hands" and "mommy's mad". PLEASE help me. Also what do you do if the behavior leads to kicking or bitting?

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

Everytime he hits get on his level and tell him that it is not nice to hit our friends. Tell him hitting is not allowed and he would not want his friends to hit him.

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J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I know how you feel, both my kiddos (3 1/2 and 17 months) hit kick, everything, the baby will come up hit you and laugh,i dont know what to do anymore, i have tried many thing also, my oldest is even in play therapy, which has helped some. I hate how people look at you in different places resturants, dr offices, ect., it like they dont understand, i just get tired of time out, spanking, "yelling", and talking to them all day, (not sure about you) but i can only do so much of that a day and i know that has something to do with it, but if i keep it up i get too stressed cause my kiddos dont listen anyway, i am usually just wasting my breath on them. Anyway, i guess this didnt really answer your question, i just want to let you know you are not alone, i know how you feel, if you find something that works, please pass it on, i would like to try it. Good Luck!!

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K.N.

answers from Houston on

As a mother of a 7, 8, and 13 year old I can tell you that whatever method of discipline you choose, it is vitally important that you stay consistent. While I am certainly pro spanking, it is not always the best choice for every child. You just have to find what "hurts" him (what "hurts" my 13 year old is no phone lol:) Contrary to popular belief, you cannot and should not reason with a 2 year old! I would certainly reinforce the "hands are not for hitting", but I wouldn't use "Mommy's mad". He needs to understand that hitting is wrong because it hurts another person - not because it makes Mommy mad, imo. I could write a novel, but I hope this little bit helps :)

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B.M.

answers from McAllen on

i have 3 boys a 4yr. old, a 3 yr. old, and a 10 mo. old baby, i had the same problem with my oldest son hitting the middle son, and we couldnt get him to stop, we only tried to guide him in the correct way, talk to him that hitting hurt, and redirected him to other activities, but it as just something they go through, because he got over it by himself with time, so i suggest to just have patience, and help him deal with it, good luck,

B.

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R.E.

answers from San Antonio on

I have three boys ages 6, 3 and 1. The only one that had a problem with biting, hitting, kicking was the oldest one. My advice would be to pinpoint the triggers that are making him hit. Children at that age, have a hard time verbalizing their wants, needs, dislikes etc, and they view those behaviors as a way to express that. My son never bit or hit for the sport of it. Its tough to deal with, just know that when you find the right method, and stick with it, like with anything else, he will grow out of it. Until then, imagine being in a foreign country and you speak only a few words, you have no way to communicate...thats how he probably feels....Good Luck

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L.L.

answers from Houston on

My little girl started hitting at about 18 months of age and this last for about 7 months! It was horrible..we did the timeouts, read books etc, etc. It got to the point she would hit then walk to timeout before I even had to tell her! I think she eventually outgrew it..I haven't changed anything but we still talk about how to behave...we are gentle, you can give hugs... hang in there, be consistent and it shall some day pass! Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Houston on

When you find out...will you please let me know??? I have the SAME problem and have used the same solutions. Do you feel like others judge you by your "uncontrollable" son? Mine is wonderful and so loving, but has his hitting moments. I wish I had something else to offer, but maybe just knowing that someone else is in the same boat might help.

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

I have a nine year old son and a little girl that will be two next weekend...neither one really went through a hitting phase but many children do...actually my daughter might have hit in the face a couple of times when she was younger. You might wanna try showing expression and/or feelings...maybe like your crying or sad and explaining to yur little one that it "HURTS" when you hit...that "HURTS" mommy, and then when your little one tries to love on you because you are sad, say " awww that is such a good boy/girl to be so sweet to mommy" see mommy doesn't like to be hit because it hurts!!! Anyways try showing your feelings to your baby...I am not sure if it will be sucessful, but I know it has worked in other situations wiht mine and it couldn't hurt to try. anyway good luck to you!!

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