INSTEAD of smacking I...

[PeppaH]

Ok I had been wanting to ask this for a while and seeing as we are on the topic of smacking I will throw it out now.
My son gets a little over the top some times and slaps me when he is playing, I dont mind when its just the legs etc but he does it on the face alot and uses toys as well. He isnt doing it to be mean, he is just having some fun.
I dont believe in the smacking a child to tell them not to hit, so I have been wondering what to do. I just gentally push him away from me and tell him it hurts, be nice, gental etc. Im not hurting him and he normally thinks Im just playing. So I just get out of reach of him. But HOW can I tell him off and not have to sit up out the way??
What does peopel think?

[Hollywood]

My DS does exactly the same thing that yours does, slaps DH and me for a bit of fun . As soon as he does it I take him to time out (plonk him at the foot of our bed and close the door as I leave). That fixes it instantly (slapping = no attention).

[PeppaH]

My DS does exactly the same thing that yours does, slaps DH and me for a bit of fun . As soon as he does it I take him to time out (plonk him at the foot of our bed and close the door as I leave). That fixes it instantly (slapping = no attention).

Yeah but would that work with a one year old? I was thinking this but I would have to 'strap' him down in his rocker chair other wise he would move.

[canberramomma]

I would try firmly saying "No". Depending on the childs age also explaining that hitting hurts and makes you sad might work. I'm also a believer in short bursts of time-out if the behaviour persists, but I know others have issue with the time-out method.

[PeppaH]

I would try firmly saying "No". Depending on the childs age also explaining that hitting hurts and makes you sad might work. I'm also a believer in short bursts of time-out if the behaviour persists, but I know others have issue with the time-out method.

I have no problem with time outs. We used taht all the time in child care when the child refused to listen.
Again though, it never always worked....We did get that 'one' child that would kick and punch, so you would have to hold him because he is a danger to himself.
Im so wanting to be like that women from that pommy nanny sure haha. I love her :P

[Hollywood]

Yeah but would that work with a one year old? I was thinking this but I would have to 'strap' him down in his rocker chair other wise he would move.

Whoops, didn't realise your LO was only 1. When DS was that age I would simply say a stern "No" and put him down on the floor and walk away. So it's similar to time out in that they get no attention, but not quite so harsh as putting them in a different room or expecting them to sit in one spot (because of course they won't!). DS still won't STAY in time out, but it's the 'walking away and giving no attention' that works

[Oya]

I don't believe in disclipining any young child, so I will just say oww you made mummy sad, mummy loves kisses and cuddles and gentle play, that makes mummy happy.

[naiwen]

I don't smack or do time out and my child is not a rampaging terror (yet LOL).

In general what I do is try to support him through any negative emotions he might be feeling (frustration/anger/jelousy), whilst allowing him physical space to express himself (he is at a very physical age), I make sure he knows I am there and I love him and it's OK to feel this way etc.

If he is hurting me/himself/another person I restrain him and say no hurting and then if possible move him to a safe space or if he is not actually distressed distract with something else.

Distraction is a really valuable tool with very small children I think.

So if I were you OP I would keep saying no and pushing his hand away until he gets that it's not a game or a fun thing to do.

But obviously you need to do what feels right for your family.

[Pax]

I would hold both of his hands/arms firmly and say "Dont Hit Me"

and next time he does it, get up and walk away and dont play anymore

[IndigoJ]

My son does the same thing, he is 13mths, ive tried all this stuff and he still does it, i consistently try a method and it doesnt work so i move onto the next one, at the moment my way is to grab his hands and tell him "Too rough, you need to be gentle with mummy" (i work in childcare so i have been taught all the methods, and dont like saying NO) My son still hits me, he thinks its a game, so what other "non-Violent" (i Hate that saying) methods would you suggest.

Also does cuddling your child when they clock you with toys really going to stop them?? Hes one, does he hit me cause he is jealous or frustrated, no i think he hits me cause i react and make funny noises, and yes ive tried moving away and all that jazz. This may work for some but for my son it doesnt. The distraction method works a little, i would say wow look at this toy, he then grabs said toy and clocks me with that one too.