Your child hit, maybe a sibling, maybe a friend, maybe you, and you’re not sure what to do in the moment.
What’s usually happening
Hitting is usually a big feeling moving faster than self-control. Little ones don’t have the words yet, so their hands speak first. They need you to stop it calmly and teach them what to do instead.
Try this
- 1Gently hold their hands or move them away, and stay calm.
- 2Name the feeling, then give them words or a safe way to let it out.
- 3When they’re calm, help them make it right with an apology and a kind act.
What to say
- “I won’t let you hit. Hands are for helping.”
- “You’re really mad. You can tell me you’re mad.”
- “Let’s go check on them together.”
Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Inside the membership, the full hitting plan gives you steps for every age, from toddlers to big kids.
This is covered in The Discipline Overshare Guide
- 01What’s happening
- 02What should I know
- 03What do I say
- 04Mom, remember
- 05When to get help
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