Hitting Son

Have you try to ground hem form something he likes? That work for my 9 yr old and my 8 yr ok old my 8 yr old as cp so it is hared to do. But you might tyr that and see if that works.

It may be that he does not have the right words to share his frustration, so he hits. I came from that type of family and it is a hard habit to break. Encourage him to use his words, but not with angry or hurtful tones. Try having the adults/caregivers watch the video 1-2-3 Magic. You may be able to borrow it from your local library or Family Service Agency. Also read, or at least skim the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" No matter what age diffference, there is always jealousy and issues between siblings that need to be addressed if he is hitting. Being role models for no hitting at any time works the best for everyone.

Hi J.,
Find what works for him, sometimes grounding him from something he really enjoys does more good than anything else. One of my sons loves video games, so when nothing else worked, I finally started taking that away. If it was up to him he would prefer a spanking because its over with quickly but not being allowed to play video games for a day is torture for him.

Okay, you're right, not acceptable. Sit him down, while he is calm and you are calm (not during or after and episode) and explain to him what the punishments will be for hitting, kicking, punching, etc. This will take both you, your husband, and your daughter being on the same page. In the future if he hits he will be hit back and sent to his room for no less than 1/2 hour. He will have to apologize for his behavior. During this 1/2 hour no one will speak to him and he will not be allowed to play with any toys. Kicking will result in the same punishment. He is expected to apologize for his behavior. There will be no movies, video games, etc., for the rest of the day. Then follow through. If he pulls this type of behavior out in public you will immediately
take him home and punishment will be carried out. Your daughter is to come to you immediately if he acts out with her and the punishments will begin with you doing the hitting, kicking, and punching, not her. Your husband has to be involved and take the same actions. After a week if this is not helping then extend the isolation to 45 minutes.
I tried this with my one child and it worked.

i don't agree with spanking what so ever.... but good job w/time out. when they throw tantrums, it's best to ignore. now if he really acts up start taking away fav toys. and then reward good behavior as well.

I think this is a stage he is going through. My 5yr old son has been doing the same thing occasionally. My oldest son did not, but he was an only child until he was 5. His little sister isn't close enough in age for that to have become a problem, but she is only 2yrs older than my 5yr old. They have these little fights frequently. I make them stand in the corner and hold hands "like they love each other." I tell them we are supposed to love and protect our brother and sister not hit them. It hasn't put and end to the bickering, but it definitely stops it in the meantime! I think they build a "united" front against momma at that point! HA-HA!

Hi J.,
I feel your pain. He sounds alot like my 5 yr old. He too is a younger sibling of an almost 9 yr old brother. It was really bad over the summer. He got angry and punched another boy in the groin area because the child wasn't listening. When he was in preschool last year, he got into a fight with one his best buddies. My preschooler getting into a cafeteria fight at school! Not a scrapbooking moment.
He's calmed down a little since then. He still gets angry if someone is "talking over" him. He still fights with his brother and leaves marks. I think what helped him calm down is when there is an altercation I don't automactically assume he's the guilty party like I used to. I ask for his "side of the story". Also, because he's so affectionate (a lover and a fighter), I try to find snuggle times with him. Bedtime is his favorite. I also signed him up for karate. It's teaching him discipline and self control, and challening some of that energy.
Stay strong. If your son is like mine, then you can look at him as a very passionate soul who given the right tools can be a driving force in this crazy world we live in.

My girls are the same age as yours! My 5 year old is the demon sometimes too:) She gets very frustrated quickly. So, I have learned negative attention is still attention..so when she begins the hitting etc, I send her to her room. Typically she will go screaming/slamming doors etc, escalate a bit in her room...after about 5 minutes I will go calmly remind her to cut it out or I will take away xyz...lately that is her webkinz...then I tell her when she calms down she may come out. Some days she is there for 15 minutes, other days she cries for a bit, 30 minutes. I check on her, but just tell her she can not act like a fool, no hitting, no screaming whatever. I tried what you tried and it didn't work. This is better. ALSO, when she was on a bad streak around march, we made a sticker chart and once she got 20 stickers she got something...going skating. She would only get 2 warning on a day and no sticker. Broke the cycle well for us!