Dec 12, 2018
What should I do when my child
hits?
It's one of the most common questions we get at Hand in Hand
Parenting, and it's the content of this week's podcast. And no
wonder. Hitting can feel dangerous. Offensive. Confusing.
But if hitting is so common, why are we
all still wondering what to do about it?
There's so much differing advice!
What Are Children Really Saying When They Hit?
Abigail talks about all the quick-tip strategies out there and
why they might work at first but why so often they fail in the
long-term.
We look at what children might be communicating through hitting,
whether it's a (somewhat misguided) attempt at play or as an
expression as deep-rooted fear, and Elle admits completely
misreading some of her child's hitting behaviors.
Understanding Hitting and other Defiant Behavior
And although we don't encourage hitting, we talk about why
parenting the punch itself doesn't actually ease the problem but
instead pushes the feelings causing a child to hit to one side.
They may disappear for now, but they (and the hitting) will soon be
back again.
So, we talk about what parenting the problem and not the punch
actually means:
- Get wise to why your child hits and how to respond
accordingly
- How to keep protected and still lean into the hitting
- How hitting can offer room for growth and connection as you
partner with your child and move past hitting
Listen to Hitting: Parent the Problem, Not The Punch and learn
to set limits around hitting and respond in the way your child
really needs you to. Because if you truly want to solve your
child's hitting, you have to do the least obvious thing first -
accept it.
More Resources For Parenting When Your Child Hits
Elle mentioned the post When Your Toddler Hits
You in this episode. Read it to discover more
about this new perspective around hitting.
We did a podcast with play expert Lawrence Cohen on aggressive
play, how to manage it so that it helps reduce a child's aggressive
behaviors. Listen to it here.
Learn how to lean into the first stages of aggression with a
vigorous snuggle.
You might also like this article on partnering with your child which
is what we are really talking about in this podcast,
keep connected
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message at podcast@handinhandparenting.org
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