Teach that Hitting is Wrong

Even though your child may not be old enough to help himself, it is important that your child know that aggressive behavior is wrong. Children don't know automatically that hitting is wrong. This is something they have to be taught.

When your child tries to hit you, grab his hands firmly, look him in the eyes and say:

"You are not allowed to hit Mommy."

Children's books that deal with anger are also a great teaching tool for children. Pay Attention to Triggers

Pay attention to your child's daily cycles. Is there a particular time of day that aggressive behavior increases? If your child loses control before dinner or after school, it may just be a sign that he is hungry. Healthy snacks like nuts, vegetables and fruits may take care of the problem.

Does your child hit when overtired? Then quiet time might be the answer. If you pay attention to what is happening in your child's world, then you may find an easy solution to much of his aggressive behavior.

Be a Good Role Model

I do not want to get into the issue of whether spanking a child is good or bad parenting. However, children are more likely to hit if they see the parents hitting. If you are concerned about aggressive behavior in your child, then your child should not see you use spanking as a form of punishment. That means if you choose to spank another child, you should do it privately and in a way your aggressive child does not see or know about it.

Limit Exposure to Aggression

You should keep your children from seeing aggressive images on television, in movies, and in books. You should also avoid aggressive video games and toys.

Conclusion

For most children, violent behavior is just a stage. Sooner or later they grow out of it. Your job as a parent is to understand the cause of your child's hitting. When you know this, you can begin to help your child express himself in more appropriate ways.

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