[email protected]

In a message dated 8/10/2006 9:12:10 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

I have a 2 year old, just turned two
in July, who has a tendency to hit. How do you handle a situation
like this.<<<<

I have a son who hit when he was younger, actually I think both of my boys
went through this. I think that age is hard. They are not really verbal yet,
trying to figure out the world with minimal tools for coping, and problem
solving. For us the hitting was one of the few ways my boys knew to
communicate. It was a tool. So we worked to provide better tools.
Working with my boys to verbalize feelings, even at that young age, and to
figure out what they wanted or needed. And working out solutions so that they
get what they want, without the hitting. For us mutually agreeable
solutions is what we strive for.

I think it helps to be able to see a situation before it gets to that point
of hitting. Which doesn't always happen, LOL. Then you can say things like
"you seem to be getting frustrated, what can I do to help?" or "Do you need
something?" It is easier to see what to say when you are there, LOL. But
helping them to see that they are getting emotional, helping put words to those
emotions, and helping them understand that it is OK to want something and
there is a win-win solution. When they were this young they needed lots of
help. But by helping them then, I can see how now they are able to take all of
that information, all of those tools and apply it to their lives now (at 9
and 12) and they need so little help.

Anyway this is early for me so sorry if the post doesn't make as much sense,
LOL. I do co-own a list that is just for consensual living. If you are
interested that is the name of it Consensual Living it is a yahoo list.

Pam G



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