How to Stop Daughter from Hitting Mommy?

I'm a teacher and can tell you this isn't too unusual but it definitely has to stop NOW or believe me it will continue through age 6 which is the age I teach most of the time.

Hit her back. I'm serious. Not hard-- just enough for her to realize how much it's hurting you. Often when kids as young as 31 months do something they just don't realize the gravity of what they're doing. I mean look at how they'll shove someone out of their way to be first going down the slide, or they'll yank a toy away from somebody without blinking an eye. They just don't get it till it happens to them. So if you (gently) do it back to them they'll figure it out.

my only other advice which works with most kids of all ages, baby through middle school at least, is mimicking them. So if she hits you and you pretend to cry and throw a tantrum she'll get it. With older kids thy even laugh and get embaressed as they recognize their own behavior. It makes a dent.

We went through a short period of this and encouraged our kids to 'use their words' and let them know that hitting was not acceptable. We gave them a 'time-out' based on their age - 2 min for 2yrs 3 min for 3 years, (they either sat on a mat or in our lap - their choice) and after a couple of weeks it wasn't an issue. We also read lots of books every night to encourage their vocabulary. It was not an easy time by no means, but being consistant was key. Same with bedtime - if they get out of bed, they need to get right back in it. Eventually they will understand. Its easier to say - but just be patient and stay consistant. It will get better!

Hi S.,

I have worked in residential child care for 11 years in May. I deal with severe behavioral issues in children everyday. I would reccomend buying and reading the book 1-2-3 Magic. It is a specific way of dealing with 2-10 year olds and their behaviors. You do need to be very consistent with this method as well as to take her behavior seriously and treat her hitting as a behavior and not to take it personally. Which is probably the hardest part. The agency I work for has adopted 1-2-3 Magic (modified) due to some restrictions by DCFS, as our method to deal with our 2-8 year olds in residence. When used over time her behaviors will reduce and will even stop. I plan on using it with my daughter (8 months) when she is old enough to understand. I hope this helps. B. S.

this may be silly advice to some but I know it worked for a friend of mine. She watch that Super Nanny show and she used some of the advice from that show. It worked great for her.
I think the show is on ABC or Fox in the Chicago / suburb areas. I have seen the show a couple times and Jo really does give some good advice.

I have to agree with Steph B, I did that with my daughter minus time out. She doesn't really get time out yet. But she understands eating is not ok. She has only done it 3 times. I told her hitting is never ok and we need to use words to communicate. I always squat down to her level and look her straight in the eye.

It has worked for me.