Whats the best approach to .......

[JiminyCricket]

Dealing with your toddler smacking you in the face?

He does it out of frustration and Iam not sure what the best way to handle it is , I have been just putting him on the floor when he does it and walking away , then he throws himself on the floor and has a mini tantrum.

He is 17 months??

[FionaV]

What you're doing is good. Put him down, say "No hitting" or "Don't hit Mummy" or something like that, and move away. If he just cries, go back in a minute (not long) and give him a cuddle, and say something like "You mustn't hit. It hurts Mummy".

If he goes into full on tantrum mode, deal with that however you normally would. I say firmly "I will talk to you when you've finished". He's very young, though, and it will probably take a while for this to help at all.

It's a hard age. They understand a lot, but can't express it.

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

What is he getting frustrated at? Maybe you can head it off before he gets to that point.... is he having a hard time trying to do something that he can't manage? I tell DD1 "Its very hard" when she is doing something I know she will have trouble with... 'Mummy will help"...

Or if he is frustrated cos you won't let him do something, maybe start talking about the next thing you will do... or if its time to stop an activity, give him lots of warning before you stop... "we need to put the paints away soon".

And I woudl just keep out of reach when you see the temperature rising.

Or maybe try sitting down and bursting out into (pretend) tears, see what his reaction is...

Good luck! It will pass...

[WorkingClassMum]

Try distraction to head off the frustration, then if he still hits say Oww! in a very loud high pitched hurty voice, put him down, make a sad face and walk away for 1.5 minutes (it's a minute per year of age).

When you go back to him, it is all forgotten until he's in a good frame of mind. Then a simple explanation that "Smacks hurt Mummy", and take his hand and gently wipe your face.

Good luck - it is a stage thing and he simply cannot communicate or handle his frustrations.

Don't forget to quitely compliment any 'good'/preferred action/re-action when he is loving or does manage to hold his temper

[Mrs Nietzsche]

Well I just gently grab his arm (mine is same age) and say 'no thats not nice' and distract him.

DS does it really badly to DH and DH just lets him until hte gets to the point of being really irritated by it.

DS does it more raking his fingernails down arms/legs/ esp of the baby because I think he feels frustrated that I am trying to make him be careful of her... when this happens I just push him away gently (just hold his chest gently away) and he is over it quickly. I've found its best to move on quicmly from it, I don't think he can quite help it and going on about it seems to make it worse