Coaching practices for Toddler Hitting Baby Sibling
Describe almost anything you are working through and IX Coach finds the practices whose real-world fit is closest. For Toddler Hitting Baby Sibling, these are the strongest matches in the current practice library.
Does this sound like the set of challenges you might be facing?
- The same misbehavior keeps coming back no matter what I do about it, and I’m starting to suspect I’m only swatting at the surface
- My kid is full of wild physical energy and I tend to shut down the wrestling and chasing because I’m afraid it’ll spin out of control
- After a blow-up with my kid we both stay frozen and far apart, and I keep trying to talk it through, to get an apology, while the distance just drags on
- When my kid is angry and lashing out I can’t tell where the line is
- Every time I put my foot down and insist, my kid blows up worse
Practices that may help
- Identify the mistaken goal behind the misbehavior
Dreikurs argued that misbehavior is always purposeful — the child is pursuing belonging or significance through a mistaken strategy.
Natural and Logical Consequences (Rudolf Dreikurs) - Engage in safe rough-and-tumble play
Wrestling, chasing, and physical silliness build the regulation capacity that calm activities cannot.
Special Time (Lawrence Cohen — Playful Parenting) - Use play to re-establish connection after conflict or separation
Playful physical contact after a difficult moment re-welds the relationship faster than discussion.
Special Time (Lawrence Cohen — Playful Parenting) - Set limits on behavior while accepting the feeling
All feelings are acceptable; not all behaviors are — hold both at once.
Emotion Coaching (John Gottman) - Recognize when Plan A (unilateral imposition) makes things worse
Adult-imposed solutions can win the battle and lose the war — notice when enforcement is escalating rather than solving.
Collaborative Problem Solving (Ross Greene) - Connect emotionally before you redirect or teach
The downstairs brain has to be acknowledged before the upstairs brain can hear anything.
The Whole-Brain Child (Siegel & Bryson) - Connect before you correct
A child who feels connected to you is far more receptive to your guidance than one who feels attacked.
Positive Discipline (Jane Nelsen) - Follow the child’s lead completely during special time
Let the child decide what you do, how long you stay, and when you move on.
Special Time (Lawrence Cohen — Playful Parenting) - Hold Plan B conversations proactively, not reactively
Solve the problem before the next explosion, when everyone is calm.
Collaborative Problem Solving (Ross Greene) - Refuse to energize negative behavior
Give consequences briefly and blandly — no energy, no lecture, no drama.
The Nurtured Heart Approach (Howard Glasser)
Related concerns
- Child Has Been Copying Aggressive Behavior Hitting Adults What Should I Do
Give consequences briefly and blandly — no energy, no lecture, no drama.
Refuse to energize negative behavior
- Should A Parent Stop Destructive Play
Wrestling, chasing, and physical silliness build the regulation capacity that calm activities cannot.
Engage in safe rough-and-tumble play
- When Special Time Rough And Tumble Play
Wrestling, chasing, and physical silliness build the regulation capacity that calm activities cannot.
- 5 Yr Olds Toy Taken By A Another Kid
Dreikurs argued that misbehavior is always purposeful — the child is pursuing belonging or significance through a mistaken strategy.
Identify the mistaken goal behind the misbehavior
- Dealing With Parental Alienation Syndrome Pas When The Child Is Younger
Empathize with the child’s concern, share yours, and invite them to solve it together.
Use Plan B: the three-step collaborative conversation
- Discipline Hyperactive 3 Year Old
Children misbehave partly because they don’t know how to do the right thing — teach the skill when everyone is calm.
Take time for training — teach the skill, not just the rule
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