Podcasts · How Not to Screw Up Your Kids
Bucket Emptying: When Your Toddler Hits, Bites, or Hurts Other Children
· 24 min
Episode Bucket Emptying: When Your Toddler Hits, Bites, or Hurts Other Children
Has your toddler ever bitten another child, hit a sibling, or shoved someone at the playground?
Have they ever lashed out in a way that left you feeling shocked, embarrassed, or judged?
In this episode, I explain why toddlers hit, bite and hurt other children, and why these behaviours are far more developmentally normal than most parents realise. I’ll walk you through what’s actually happening inside your child’s brain, why it’s almost never aggression in the way we understand it, and how hitting and biting is less about naughtiness, and more about overwhelm.
I am going to share the three most important things you can do:
• how to respond calmly and effectively in the moment, • how to build the emotional language that eventually replaces physical behaviours, and • how to identify the hidden triggers that make hitting and biting more likely in the first place.
So if you’re struggling with toddler aggression, playground incidents, sibling fighting, nursery reports, or the shame that so often comes with these moments, this episode is the roadmap you need. The practical strategies I share with you today genuinely work.
And remember: your toddler’s hitting or biting is not a reflection of your parenting. It’s a sign that a skill is still developing, and together we can help build it.
So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…
Highlights from this episode:
01:26 - It’s not aggression… it’s communication
07:24 - The 3 things you need to know
17:40 - Common triggers
21:08 - What to do if things don’t get better
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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
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