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My son is 13 months old and has tried this a few times too. My husband and I don't believe in time outs and use warnings and spanks for discipline. I know there are many who disagree with this method, but I firmly believe that's the way to go and seeing the results is an affirmation. My son is well behaved and 8 times out of 10 when he's told "no" he obeys without having to have a spank. He's not afraid of us and is a big sweetheart, but knows that no means no and he needs to obey. Your daughter is testing you and trying to see how far she can push it. Just be careful to not excuse her behavior because she's teething. Yes it's uncomfortable and can make her grumpy, but that's not an excuse for bad behavior. Just my two cents and you may agree or disagree, but either way I hope your little one's mouth feels better soon. I know it's really hard to see them in pain. Good luck!

I also am having this problem with my 2yo dd. She started it at 18 months and although I am not opposed to an occasional swat on the butt (for serious safety issues where she could get hurt), I tried the time outs b/c my thought was that if I swatted her for hitting, that would send mixed signals and just confuse her. Anyway, she is still doing it! I'm just not really sure how to handle it. I am interested in others experiences.

I agree with clindholm. I think that a swat should be saved for more serious instances and that hitting her for hitting me is definitely sending mixed messages. I think its going to take consistency either way. My doc said that her daughter went through a biting phase and it lasted for 9 months!!

my dd hits and throws balls at me to,so don't feel alone lol. i wouldn't use abuse yikes, i'm no psychiatrist here but i really think on some kids it can take a toll on their mental health, i remember my mom hit me and i have some anxiety issues.it can probably cause other issues as well,like self esteem i'd assume. i am not blaming my mom or anything, i know a bad temper runs on her side of the family,lol. i still love her and everything.Depending who your child is ,it could send out the wrong message,like the opposite message,that abuse is ok. i've been pondering the same question as you as when to start time outs though, i thought maybe 2 years old would be more appropriate when they realize whats going on more.

Neither of mine did that so I don't know how much help I'll be but my DS when he was about that age would try and bite a bit. I just said No biting and that was enough to get him to stop and sometimes made him cry. I used to say no biting, just cuddling, kissing so he could have a positive way of getting attention and that worked with him. At about 18 months he then started again (I think from nursery/daycare) this sort of play gentle hitting/biting/pushing which even though it didn't hurt I wanted to stop. When I said no biting he used to go round trying to imitate me saying no biting, no biting, no biting so I then started telling him if he did it I'ld put him in the corner. If he carried on I'ld put him in the corner for a minute and that did the trick. I also sometimes pretend to cry (so he realises it makes me sad) then he always immediately gives me a cuddle and a kiss and sometimes he says D(S)orry Mummy. Children vary in what works though so I'ld just try something stick with it for a while and see if it works. If no isn't working I'ld probably try timeout/or putting her in a corner for 1 minute. I'ld explain to her that we don't hit so she knows thats why she's being put in timeout/in a corner. If she's in pain from teething I'ld give her pain meds if your not already so at least your own dealing with the behaviour issue. Hope it gets better soon. Also its good to get your DH/anyone else who looks after her to all do the same.

Our daughter does this as well (14 months old). We have used time outs, and occasionally will hold her hands and tell her NO very loudly (Not like screaming loud), then we will hold them until she calms down, and it usually does the trick. She is starting to learn she doesn't like mommy and daddy very much right now, because she can't get her way with us. She loves grandma though (eye roll). Hee hee all kids are unique, so sometimes you have to use a variety of things until you find what works out for you all.