My Little "Monster" Is Living up to His Nick-name

My sone is almost 2 and coincidentally is also nick-named Monster. He started to do this same thing to me when my nephew was born about a year ago. I was baffelled at first, because I had never had to deal with that kind of behavior from his older sister. I tried removing him and talking to him, but that just didn't work. What I finally started doing was every time my Monster got rough, I'd snatch my nephew up and give him huggs and kisses and ask in a sing-song voice if he was alright. I did this in plain view of my son. After coddling my nephew for a while, I would tell my son that I was afraid that he was too rough and had hurt the baby. Then I would show him how to touch the baby gently and explained that he liked to be touched, but did not like to be hit, or grabbed, or whatever. After just a couple of encounters like that my son figured out that he did not want me holding the baby and wouldn't do anything that would make me hold him more often. They're great friends now and I haven't had much of a problem since.

He might just be testing boundaries with what gets more attention. My now 5yr old did that when her sister came home with me from the hosp. I sat down with my 5yr old and expained that helping with the baby was appropriate but being rough wasn't and I explained that she could hurt her little sister if she was to rough.And you have to also remember that he is used to having you all to himself.

I am by no means a child psycologist, but I do have a 3 year old daughter who does exactly the same thing. It seems that she acts up most when I pay attention to my best friends' son (7 yrs) but does not mind when I play with her infant son (11 months). I do think it has a little bit to do with competition, with a smidgeon of jealousy. She loves to help me feed and play with the baby, but he is of little threat since he is only crawling and ga ga gooing right now. As my only child, she always has my undivided attention. So when soemone else comes into the picture it's a little difficult for her to understand. I try to tell her that she has mommy everyday to play and talk with, but I only get to see Zach once in a while. She is still my angel but mommy has to spend some time with the other kids right now. Best Wishes!
A.

It sounds like he just wants your attention good or bad. Maybe you can find a way of not rewarding his bad behavior with your attention. Maybe you could talk to the teachers at the daycare and work it out so that only they will discipline him when your there. It might get him to just try to get the positive attention if that's the only option.