How do I get my 17 month old to quit hitting me. She does it constantly, I have tried grabbing her hand and firmly saying stop hitting, or we don't hit. She is doing it all the time. Everytime I tell her no she does it. Any suggestions?

The first time I would put her down and tell her no.... Say owie that hurts mommy. Ignore her for a minute or two. Then come back to her and tell her again that hurt mommy and i don't want to play with you if you hurt me. If she hits again get up and leave her without saying anything. Then repeat the coming back and telling her owie....

I know she's young but she will see that if she hits you won't want to play with her.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

My 19 month old son is hitting too. I hope he outgrows it soon!

I did something like one of the posters suggested when DS went through a little phase. I said, "hitting hurts mommy. no hit." When he did it again, I repeated that and then sat him in my lap and held his arms for a little time out--30 seconds or so. I've read in some books that you should repeat the little "hitting hurts mommy. no hit" phrase a couple of times and not to get too long explaining things. I also tried to explain the consequences a little, but that gets long sometimes. "No hit. If you hit again, you will have a time out. No hit mommy."

That worked last time--maybe around 13 mo, but we're at that 19 mo mark right now, so we'll see what happens when that phase comes around again. I'm sure it will unfortunately!

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Blessed beyond measure

I agree with the above. As soon as she hits, time with you ENDS. My DD was developmentally delays so she went through the hitting phase after she turned 2. Stopping the 'fun' swiftly and certainly is very effective. Of course, say one word to convey the message, too. A loud 'ow' or 'wrong' works well.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I am going to try this. Sounds like a good plan of action Thanks so much! Hopefully she stops.

Be swift with discipline or your child forgets what she did wrong. Be consistent eventually she will learn. Good luck.