It seems Baby Brother is a very aggressive little boy. He likes to Climb and play. Now he has taken up bothering Big Brother. First it was just that Baby Boy was pulling up on Big Brother (and grabbing his arm/leg/shirt/shorts while doing it.) Now Baby Boy likes to hit Big Brother in/on the face/arm/leg/head with his hand or whatever toy he has in his hands. Upon doing this he just grins and giggles. Baby Brother knows the meaning of “No.” He doesn’t like being told “No.” I really am trying to say something other than the “N” word, but it doesn’t help much. From experience with Big Brother, I know that this will take time to teach him. The problem is listening to Big Brother tell me that Baby Brother is hitting him, or that he is doing “bad” things, or he is being “ugly” to him. The last two days Big Brother has actually asked me to put him into the play yard so that Baby Boy cannot get to him. It is really hard to explain to a 3 year old that Baby Boy doesn’t understand that he is hurting you or that he shouldn’t do it. I try to tell him that it will take a long time for baby Boy to learn these lessons. Big Brother’s response is: “He’s still doing it today–You taught him yesterday!”
Oh, fun. Any suggestions/advice/etc… is welcomed. I don’t think I should let it go–at the same time I don’t want Baby Boy to start saying “No” all the time either. I was really lucky with Big Brother. He didn’t say “No” all the time. I have heard of kids saying it all the time because they constantly hear it and realize it is a powerful word.
(last summer: Big Brother, 3; Baby Boy, 4 months)
not much advice, since i haven’t been in your situation..but i have heard that the second ones learn “no” sooner b/c of their siblings. so it may be unavoidable. i can only imagine how difficult it is! it is bad enough going through those stages without the added “fun” of a sibling in the mix! yikes!
read this and tell me what you think….
http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ch04.asp
Kristy: My current response to all of this is to lock one of them into the play yard (sometimes Big Brother asks me to do this) or tell Big Brother to go to his room and shut the door if he wants to play without Baby Boy bothering him. This was working quite well, but Big Brother is starting to figure out that he doesn’t want to always have to go to his room. Some days are better than others. Today went great. They even played together in the bath without problems.
Amber: Not for me, I think. If it works for her, that is great. I am curious how it works for you if you decide to try it. Definitely keep me posted.