Best 5 Tips on How to Respond When Your Child Hits You

Every parent has been there! Parenting is not merely about moments of joy and laughter but also about the challenges that make it a roller coaster ride. While sometimes your little one’s behavior seems affable, on certain days, it may drive you totally crazy. For most parents, it is hurtful and downright confusing, especially when their child hits them. In fact, some parents begin to feel something is wrong with their parenting. However, this usually happens when the child does not know how to self-control his aggression peacefully, probably fueling their frustration. And the need is—learning how to respond to toddler hitting.

Read below this article to explore some of the most helpful tips on how you can help your child learn self-control while shaping up their behavior in the best way possible.

Younger kids usually lack self-control, and the best way to control toddler hitting is to make them learn how to express their emotions through words and not through hitting or kicking. And the truth is, your little one won’t understand their boundaries until it’s taught to them.

For your little ones, inculcating healthy habits shouldn’t just be signaled when they misbehave, but on an everyday basis. Appreciating them for every little moment whenever they behave gently is one such approach to letting them know being kind and affectionate towards everyone is a praisable thing.

It is important to make it clear that hitting, kicking, or other such acts are a strict no. Meanwhile, try to enforce these boundaries in a positive manner rather than asking them in a way that restricts them. To make things easier, let's take an example. Instead of saying, ‘Stop hitting,’ you may say, ‘Hitting hurts, mommy. Use gentle touches.’ In this approach, don’t forget to let them know that aggressive actions are not tolerated by you.

While some kids may learn control only after a simple ‘No’, others may be a bit tough to deal with, and they may need to learn the consequences of their actions to stop doing so. Restricting their access to certain privileges, such as toys or television, can be a good way to enforce discipline. 

It is normal to feel upset sometimes. Using healthy distractions to calm their mind is another fantastic way to respond to their frustration, rather than hitting or showing aggressive actions. Also, let them know that using words to express their feelings is the best way to deal with unfavorable circumstances peacefully.