Seeking Suggestions

Without writing a long winded post, I need suggestions on how to deal with a 2.5 year old who hits and yells more than I think is "typical or age appropriate". I feel like I've tried everything.

Our family has been through a great deal of transitions in the last 6 months and I know a lot of it has to do with that, but it's wearing me out and I want my sweet boy back.

Please- has anyone dealt with a hitter and screamer and how did you handle it? I'm hoping I might hear something I haven't thought of that might do the trick.

Thanks.

Re: Seeking Suggestions

My DD can be a hitter at times and she's definitely a yeller. She is 3. At one point it got really out of control. I reprimand her and tell her she is never to hit ESPECIALLY not Mommy and that when she hits me or anyone else it hurts my feelings. I also tell her that she should not yell because it's not nice. Shes at an age where she understands more and she has definitely gotten better with this. At 2.5 it may be a phase. You can try time outs and just plain ole discipline. He will get it eventually as long as the behavior is corrected every time. Good Luck

Re: Seeking Suggestions

I am not a mom so I don't really have any advice for you, but if you post this on the parenting board you may get more suggestions. Good luck!

Re: Seeking Suggestions

DS is 2.5 and he can be a hitter.

It's embarassing at times because he will just go up to random strangers and swat them in public.

Everyone I know who is a parent has been reassuring me that this is phase a lot of children go through.

He does it sometimes to his cousins and they do it to him as well.They are also 2.

He also is now in the phase where he is whining constantly and throwing himself to the ground if he doesn't get his way.

Yesterday was rough because I was with him all day with pretty much no break.

I know it's an act because he can turn the tears on and off immediately.

Re: Seeking Suggestions

Time outs. Immediate and for about 2 mins.

Re: Seeking Suggestions

If it is happening during transitions, try to prepare him. For example...if you are going to go out...First we are going to clean up our toys, then we are going to get in the car then we are going to the store. and then keep repeating it. I also find using a timer works. (i.e. when the buzzer goes off, you will need to do xyz) and also a count down, if you don't stop in 3 seconds I am going to ____ (and then follow through.) I also think rewarding postive behavior is really important.