cdlamis
04-04-2004, 11:42 PM
I am sure this has been discussed somewhere here but DH and I just got home from a long, frustrating outing with Julia and I need advice.
Julia is 20 months old and she has been hitting DH and I. We never hit her back or even smack her hands. We always say "Ow, that hurts mommy" or "No hitting, be nice". I even have started walking away from her to let her know that I will not be near her if she hits me. She usually will kiss me or smile to let me know she's sorry (no words or signs yet for "sorry"). But nothing works long term. Are we giving her attention when we try to talk to her? Should we try the opposite and completely ignore her when she hits?
Next dilemma- :)
When she hits us, I know it's for attention or to express her frustration which I understand. But she has started hitting other kids for no good reason! Today we had to leave the playground because she hit a few kids just because they walked by or touched her. No one was being mean or even looking at her. I do not tolerate this and we left right away and told her why we were leaving. I am so sad and frustrated because we have intentioanlly tried to reinforce positive behavior and thought we were doing everything right! I guess this is my first lesson in parenting- that I cannot control everything and Julia does have a mind of her own. What can we do?
Sorry this got so long! I would love to hear from anyone with advice~
TIA-
Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b35d0802848f *December pictures
Julia is 20 months old and she has been hitting DH and I. We never hit her back or even smack her hands. We always say "Ow, that hurts mommy" or "No hitting, be nice". I even have started walking away from her to let her know that I will not be near her if she hits me. She usually will kiss me or smile to let me know she's sorry (no words or signs yet for "sorry"). But nothing works long term. Are we giving her attention when we try to talk to her? Should we try the opposite and completely ignore her when she hits?
Next dilemma- :)
When she hits us, I know it's for attention or to express her frustration which I understand. But she has started hitting other kids for no good reason! Today we had to leave the playground because she hit a few kids just because they walked by or touched her. No one was being mean or even looking at her. I do not tolerate this and we left right away and told her why we were leaving. I am so sad and frustrated because we have intentioanlly tried to reinforce positive behavior and thought we were doing everything right! I guess this is my first lesson in parenting- that I cannot control everything and Julia does have a mind of her own. What can we do?
Sorry this got so long! I would love to hear from anyone with advice~
TIA-
Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b35d0802848f *December pictures