Before it was even noon today, we’d already put Nate in time out five times for hitting or pushing Nia. It’s been so ridiculous and so frustrating and frankly, I’m really sad and exhausted over it all. He even pushed a little girl (like 15 months or so) at the mall’s soft play area yesterday! As soon as we saw it we jumped up, grabbed him, told him “NO SIR! No pushing!” and didn’t let him play anymore. Before we left, he went over to her, hugged her and said “Orry” but none of that really matters to me if he keeps pushing and hitting.
I’ve read that all of this is a “normal/typical” toddler stage and I’ve read time out is the way to go – I just hope and pray it works. It’s funny because some of the advice on the online websites I’ve visited say things like, “children under 2 should not watch tv.” Well, that’s great. How do I undo that? Besides, Nia watched plenty of tv before she was 2 and she never hit/pushed/bit anyone plus, she’s super smart so I can’t say that tv is to blame for his actions. It’s not like he’s watching Ultimate Cage Fighting (well at least not more than 30 minutes a day – I’m totally kidding if you don’t know that). I mean, his cartoons are Curious George and Go Diego Go – all those are teaching him to do is speak like a monkey, make messes and want to wear a “Rescue Pack”. (He really does all of those things.)
All of this has me feeling a little timid about taking him back to the Y this week. I know I can’t live my life like that but I just don’t want to chance us getting the boot. I even thought about telling the ladies to get me as soon as he does anything that way it will be even more of a punishment and he doesn’t get written up. I can’t believe how stressed out all of this is making me. Hopefully, he will grow out of it (like all the websites say he will). In the meantime though, I have a feeling he’s going to be spending a lot of time behind bars.
Are You Zhazha? 
Tj's going through a similar stage. He won't share, takes things from other kids, throws fits if we don't meet his outrageous demands (like Apple Jacks for dinner). We do the timeout thing, and I've got him to usually obey if I say, if you don't (insert command here, like, stop playing with the a/c, ripping up your book, spreading the contents of my wallet on the floor, etc) by the time I count to 3, you're going to timeout. Usually by 2 and a 1/2, he plays ball.
The counting technique worked like a charm with Nia but Nate is kind of in caveman speak still so it's so hard to rationalize with him. I'm glad something is working for you with TJ though! It's nice when we still feel like we have some power/control over them! We've even gone so far to take toys away from Nia and put her in time out. You gotta do what you gotta do!
I'm sorry Nikki! I know this is driving you nuts, especially because he can be such a sweetie sometimes. Remember when he took Camille by the hand and asked her to walk with him around the house? He's a lover too. Hang in there.
I know right?!?! He can be sweet – I forgot about how adorable that was when he took her hand, "Walk, walk, walk." Thanks for reminding me about that!
Andrew is doing the same thing and even pulls the hair of little Bella at the babysitters house. Of course my parents blamed daycare on his little fits, so it's comforting to know so many kids who are at home so this too. Drew won't sit in a timeout, and sometimes I get mad a smack his hands. He cries and usually hits me back so if you find something that works, please let me know.
We have to put Nate in his crib for his time out. We just take out all his animals and blankeys so he knows it's punishment time not night-night time. I was worried that it would make him not want to go to sleep in his crib but so far he's been fine with it. As soon as something starts working, I'll let you know! 🙂 (You do the same for me too!)