How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

It's getting ridiculous and I don't know how to get her to stop hitting other kids. Big or small, it doesn't matter, and always unprovoked. She made 2 kids cry this morning

I always am very firm with her, tell her she's bad, hitting is not nice, yadda yadda yadda....I feel like I always have to be right behind her bc I am not sure when the evil Elizabeth will come out. I have tried slapping her hand and that does nothing so I stopped. She'll be 2 next month.

Any advice?We are not going to get invited anywhere anymore!!!!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

It's a stage, I think it will stop eventually.

In the meantime, I would constantly put her in a time out for it-even if you are out at someone else's house or the park. Isolate her and tell her "we don't hit" and make her stay for 1-2 minutes, whatever amount you normally do.

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

Did they have a water table too?

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

DS went through a face grabbing/scratching phase last year- it was a nightmare. What I had to do was literally follow him around whenever he was around other children. He wasn't even allowed to go near other kids. And if he got close enough to do it, he got a time out no matter where we were.

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

I promise she can play with my Elizabeth and they can beat each other up until the learn that it's no fun getting hit!

I don't know how to stop my E from hitting ME, but she tries to hug me as soon as I say "time out" so at least I know she's learning. I'm praying it's just a phase!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

She rarely hits DH or I, just other kids. And no one ever hits her back DH and I joke that someone really needs to clock her one of these days and maybe she'll realize that hitting is bad

I am ready for the next phase!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

Posted by Tine73

She rarely hits DH or I, just other kids. And no one ever hits her back DH and I joke that someone really needs to clock her one of these days and maybe she'll realize that hitting is bad

I am ready for the next phase!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

I would try time-outs. I buckle my dd in the stroller for two minutes when she pushes or screams at someone else for no reason at the park. I am really consistent and it definately seems to be working.

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

Unfortunatley there's no way to stop them but just for the sake of it - always let the other parents see that you are trying to correct the behavior. DS#1 was rediculous with it and DS#2 is doing it a bit too. It's embarrassing and so frustrating but it's a stage that some kids go through. Good luck.

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

A couple of questions - is she verbal? What is happening immediately before she hits?

I would not hit her in response to her hitting someone or she may think that is an appropriate response. I would talk to her and give her a time out. Two minutes for each time she hits someone else. If she does it more than once, then I would leave and explain to her that there are consequences for her actions. Are you praising her when she does not hit? She may just be craving attention. It is also a stage. Good luck!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

Have you tried the whole ' You make (whoever she's hitting) sad when you hit them, do you want them to make you feel sad?' Some may say this is putting a guilt trip on her, but it's that or you'll being saying ' See, I told you so' when some little kid swings back and knocks her on her cute little tushie lol

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

My advice is to take her out of the sitution as soon as she hits another kid, ie if she hits a kid at a playdate, you get up and leave right away. And if you can't actually leave (or you don't want to) go through the motions and actually take her out to the car. If she is having a good time, leaving the situation will make her very unhappy, you might only need to do this a few times before she learns, but it might just work! good luck!

Re: How Do I Get Her to STOP Hitting Other Kids??

Christine, Ella is a hitter and each time she hits we either put her in time out or we will remove her from the situation. If she is out a party or playdate and she hits then she knows that is the end of the party or playdate for her. So far she is doing great but we make sure we are very consistent with disciplining her.

They are never too young to be disciplined because they understands a whole lot more than we think they do.