
No! He should KNOW better than to do that!
The words echo in your mind as you watch your son hit another kid on the playground. Indeed, you thought you were out of the “hitting and biting woods” when he left the toddler years behind.
But then again, this act of aggression isn’t a first-time occurrence. In fact, it happens rather regularly.
And you just don’t know what to do about it.
If you read The Do’s and Don’ts to End Toddler Hitting and Biting for Good, you will know that we addressed the best ways to confront these behaviors with children ages three and under.
But what about older kids who still act impulsively and aggressively? Are they doomed to become life-long bullies? Are they ever going to get a handle on their impulse control? Will they going to be permanently labeled as the “bad kid”?
Not at all!
Dealing with a toddler’s hitting and biting can be frustrating, but seeing your older child—who should already “know” better—can be infuriating. I completely understand this feeling, yet I urge you to take a moment to pause when you see your child behave aggressively. Rather than losing your temper right away, consider these more constructive techniques instead.