I am new to this group, but am very excited about it. I need some help though. I have a 2 year old boy, Ryan and an 8 month old boy, Michael. I know that they adore each other and really do love each other. Ryan is a very affectionate and good kid. We have been having problems with him hitting, stepping on, wrestling with, and pushing Michael. Ryan will be completely occupied playing with his toys, but if he sees Michael on the floor with any kind of a toy, Ryan will drop whatever he is doing and grab the toy from Michael. He will push Michael over to give him a hug and then start climbing on him and wrestling with him. If Michael is laying on the floor, Ryan will step ON Michael's stomach or back, instead of stepping OVER him. I have tried removing Michael from the situation, but its not fair to him, he needs to have the floor time. I have also been putting Ryan in time-outs, but it doesn't seem to do too much. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I could really use them. Thank you sooo much!
Thank you sooo much for everyone's advice. We are still doing timeouts, and I am also having special time with just me and Ryan. I have been snuggling with him when he wants, and really being there for him when he needs me. Since both of the kids take naps at the same time, I have someone watch Michael while I take Ryan out with me somewhere special. He is really enjoying that! Thanks again for everyone's input and advice!!
hi, I'm Pat and I'm in Peoria, Illinois. I'm 54. Remember what you would have got if it were you? Spankins do work you know. Just a few sharp taps on those tinder little thighs and he should stop. reward him if he stops, punish if he doesn't
____@____.com
It is probably Ryan wanting attention, I know that you probably give him mounds and mounds of attention, but for a 2 year old.....alot is never enough...When Micheal is on the floor playing, maybe you could engage in some type of activity with Ryan. I understand everyone is busy these days and it is easier said then done. I wish you the best of luck!!!!
I think it might be a terrible 2's deal because when I let my lil boy go over to my friend's house and play with her lil girl he pushes her and tries to take toys from her. I get after him and continues to do it.
Some jealousy of "the baby" is common at that age, however you're right.....it's not fair to Michael to remove him from the situation every time. Be sure you are being consistent about time-outs: have him sit for 2 minutes and make sure you are completely ignoring him. After two minutes, explain why he had time-out and have him say sorry to Michael and give him a hug and kiss(Gently). Also, Ryan might be needing soem alone time with you. Make sure to set aside a time (maybe when Michael is sleeping) that you and Ryan can have together to do one of his favorite activities. This is a tough one, Good luck and keep us posted.
I have a 2 1/2 year old boy and 14m old boy. All I can really say is that it will get easier. For a while I couldn't walk to the next room without the 2 year old hitting or pushing his brother. Now he is more relaxed and tends to only push the baby when he reaches for one of his toys he is playing with. He almost never hits. It also helps that "the baby" is now a toddler. He's just more sturdy and can yell back. We have taught the older son to trade toys when he wants what the baby has and that has helped some. We have also had to do lots and lots of timeouts. They really do help. Now that hitting isn't such a problem we get to deal with things like the older brother knows he can make his little brother cry just by taking a toy away from him. Lot of fun! I know it's upsetting to see your little baby hit or pushed by your older son, but this will pass or maybe just fade into something different. Oh, something else... 2 year olds are still learning to share. They just can't uderstand it yet. Not that you shouldn't enforce it, but there is only so much you can expect.
I don't if this will work but try interacting with both of the boys while they are playing and maybe that will help. If that dont work put the baby down on the floor for play time when the other boy takes a nap. The idea of a playpen is also a good idea for the baby at least he won't be step on. I hope one of these ideas help. Best of luck.
I have a two year old and a 1 yr old and they do the same thing, Except my two year old can climb in and out of the playpen. My two year old is very smart but he does not understand the TIME OUT concept because he is so young and does not have a very long attention span. From my experience it is something that OUR 2 yr olds with have to grow out of.
D.,
The other women who responded had great advice! My doctor talked to me about this just recently. Her suggestion was to utilize the playpen as much as possible when I am not there to supervise continuously. It's not floor time but at least it will give your 8 month old a safety zone. Good luck!
I have exacetly the SAME problem! My two year old daughter will sit on, step on, or lay on top of her 5 month old brother! He is always in his swing or in the play pen because his sister will manhandle him!
I find that it's not because she is trying to hurt him or even compete with him, but she just doesn't realize that she CAN hurt him because she is much bigger than he is so I have to explain "soft touches" 20 times per day. One day I will have to come up with an invisible force field to put around infants to deter dogs, cats, and siblings! ;-)
