I see RED!

[Mum01]

Hi everyone,

This is my first ever post in here, just stumbled across it during a crisis moment a little while ago. My little man is 16months old, and for the past month or so he has taken to biting and scratching my face when I am putting him to bed. He thinks it's a game..just as I turn his lamp off and say "it's night, night time" he cuddles me and then goes straight in for the kill, pulls my hair and tries to bite my face!! He's getting very strong now, and often I have to prize him off of me to protect myself from sustaining any injury. He does not do this to anyone else- just me, his mummy.

I suppose the reason why I'm posting this is, is that I'm getting frustrated with his behaviour..today I actually felt angry at him for pulling my hair, and just put him in his cot and left the room as I was feeling pretty angry and tired after a hectic morning out. Is this just a phase that he will grow out of? I sometimes feel like I'm comparing him to my friends' children his age who seem to be a lot calmer and less active as him. He is very energetic and never ever stops-unless he's asleep :smiliedance:

I get pretty tired sometimes just keeping up with him!! Anyone else who can relate and has already been through this stage? I'd love to hear from you.

[xkwzit]

Hiya Mum01

I have not expereinced exactly this, but you do need to let him know that it is not OK. I think that he does think of it as a special thing to do with you and he prob has no idea how much it hurts.

What about "no cuddles" unless he promises to behave? It's prob cuddling him in bed that's the trigger, give him his goodnight cuddle before bed and just keep out of attack range when you put him down. If he does go for you, a firm no, hold the hitting hand and just leave - no reaction for the undesirable behaviour. Some kids seem to enjoy even negative reaction, so no reaction might be better. Hope this helps (I'm sure you'll get a few replies though)

Cheer

[Wish_Bear]

My daughter who is 3 now sounds a lot like your son. She has always been over the top active and energetic and into anything and everything. I did the same as you by comparing her to my friends kids as they all seemed so quiet next to her. It will possibly be something he grows out of, he may just want to see how far he can push mummy.
My daughter only ever did things like that to me and never to anyone else which makes you feel pretty bad, but she has grown out of it. She is still one of the most active kids I know though so all I can say is rest when you can :)

[Mum&bubs]

Not sure if this will make things any better but i just wanted to let you know that you are not alone on this. My 14mth DD has started clawing my face & biting me on the shoulder when im trying to get her to sleep as well. She laughs thinking its a game too but it does hurt quite alot. I tell her no and that its naughty but she doesnt listen to a thing i say; shes been a little terror lately!!! :banghead:

[Mum01]

Thanks folks for your responses- geez it's nice to know you're not alone!! My little one is full of beans and sometimes I just get to the point where I feel like I'm going nuts :devil6: I keep up with him most of the time- but there are times when he just out runs me. The biting and scratching DOES hurt- I'm glad he does just do it to me :o

I'll try your suggestions- hopefully we'll get somewhere in modifying this latest behaviour..

I realise that there are times when my anger towards his behaviour is based on my fear of him turning into a little rascal/bully. I want him to be a nice, polite boy- I can handle the activeness/determined/very independant personality- but please be nice!!!

Thanks again for your responses..I really appreciate it. Time is precious I know.

x

ps will keep you posted on how things go over the next couple of weeks.

[ChubStar]

Mum01 I know how you feel. My little boy went through the same stage when he was about 18 months. He used to grab my hair, slap my face and bite my shoulder, any time of the day not just nap time. The amount of times I ended up in tears cos I felt like he was doing it because he hated me, is just ridiculous.

The good news is, he grew out of it. Instead of getting angry I would grab him by the wrist and squeeze just enough for him to realise that I was serious and say "no, you are not allowed to bite/hit/pull hair, you are being very naughty". It sounds very SuperNanny, but I continued to do it and after about 1 month he decided it wasn't fun anymore. He does still sometimes attempt to grab my hair but I stop him before he gets that far.

Just stay strong and try not to get angry, he doesn't know any better and is relying on you to teach him. Good luck!! :D

[Mum01]

thanks for responding Jacqui- greatly appreciated.

My little one has actually stopped biting and scratching (for the time being anyway!!) so I am really happy about that. I pretty much did exactly what you said, I would pull his arms away and in a firm voice tell him 'no hitting', or no biting- whatever he was doing at the time.

He actually only bit and scratched me at bedtime when I was giving him a cuddle and kiss. I am pleased to say that he kisses and cuddles me back now which is so so nice!

Thanks again for your support.

oh the trials and tribulations of parenting!

:)