advice needed.

**jellybean** · 01-05-2008, 08:59am

I am really struggling with E atm.

I spend 90% of my day telling her off for hitting, biting or pinching me. and its really getting me down, i dont really know how to deal with it. i try getting down to her level and saying no, dont do that it hurts mummy etc. but its not doing anything.

She will do it for no reason, like just now we were sitting playing with her toys and she just smacked me in my face.

It's making me dread waking up and having to be with her.

Also there is the constant whinging and crying (real and fake) if i don't walk far enough with her, if i say anything! not letting her play in the windowsill, or basiclly do exactly what she wants.

I know its probably normal for her age (15 1/2 months) but im starting to feel like she hates me.

any advice?

**Roo** · 01-05-2008, 09:25am

Firstly, have a

PLEASE believe me, she doesn't hate you

But they can be absolute little buggers, excuse my french, and at this age they start getting so frustrated and wanting to do everything, be everywhere and it all gets a bit

It is NOT personal! (hell, it better not be - Adam is currently into a lovely phase of full-on SCREAMING tantrums, but only if I'm around and refuse to pick him up 24/7

).

If she's not taking any notice when you say 'no', could you instead just get up, walk out of the room and shut the door behind you? Wait 1 minute, then come back in. If you do that every time she hits you, she *should* get the message loud and clear that you simply won't tolerate it any more. I think sometimes when they hear 'no' it just doesn't register, certainly at this age, and if they're hearing it a lot they just tend to ignore it.

Also, I'd have a think about what you REALLY don't want her to do (hitting, obviously), and want just might be able to 'let slide' for now, so again you're not constantly telling her off - which isn't much fun for you and she'll just ignore anyway

ie the climbing in the window sill - Adam is a climber, and I've actually made the decision to just leave him to it. I keep an eye, and am ready to dive in for a save if required

but if I don't tell him off he tends to get bored of it much quicker - the more I say 'get down' the more he thinks it's really funny and the more he wants to do it again and again

As for the wingeing, oh you have my sympathy! Laura is terrible for it, but I'm afraid you have to develop somewhat selective deafness. If you need to stop walking or whatever, then so be it. If she winges, well tough (I'm a mean mummy, can you tell?

). It's not fun, but it DOES pass and they do realise if you're consistent and firm

but some days you still feel like donating them to the local dogs' home