My son has started to bang his head on anything whenever we tell him no about something or when we don't do his way. He has always been a very well behaved child and we haven't had to repeat ourselves when it comes to dicipline but this concerns me because I don't want him to hurt himself.
For those who asked about our environment: We are a happy family with no arguments around the house. WE support each other in our decisions and we discuss them before acting. My son has never had any ear infections, nor is he teething (He has all of his teeth out).
It makes me feel better knowing that is one of those stages that will go away. I did call his pediatrician, just in case, and you ladies were right. I will try to ignore it and see how it goes.
Thanks a bunch for your advices.
I am the mother of 13 month old twins and one of my daughters bangs her head against ANYTHING she comes in contact with! Sometimes it's because she was told no but sometimes it's just to get a reaction. I asked the pediatrician and he said it was normal just to be careful she doesn't do it too hard. I know this isn't an answer of why he does it but at least it's fairly 'normal'!Hope this helps!
Dear T.,
Does your son have problems with ear infections? Is the family life at home peaceful. Maybe your son is frustrated. My son did the same thing and still does from
time to time. Speak to his pediatrian and tell him what's going on with your son.
He could be teething too. Many factors with him banging his head!
If you need further help or need to talk..
Let me know.
Sincerely,
G. H.
I think it's just his way of showing his frustration. My son did that too at that age--he is now 3 1/2 and doesn't do it anymore, I'm not sure when it stopped, but it did. :)
Don't you love that? When my nephew was this age and he got mad, he would get down on the floor and rub his forhead on the carpet... He looked like a little vacuum cleaner, just pushing along on the floor, he even sounded a little like one with all the fuss he was making, LOL I was always worried he would end up with rug burn on his forhead. And when my niece got mad she would pull on her eyelashes. I swear I thought she was going to pull them out or damage her eyes. But she is 9 years old now and has perfect eyesight, and she no longer does that. Kids come up with the oddest behaviors sometime. I think they do it to keep us on our toes!
My son did that for about 3months. At first we would make a big deal about it because we didn't want him to get hurt, but once we started ignoring it, he quit.
Hi T.,
It may simply be the next stage in his life and you have to discipline him through it. For instance, he could have seen another child do it and get his way. However, look at EVERYTHING that has happened right before he started. Did he just get his next set of vaccinations? Have you changed anything in the house? Laundry detergent? New carpet? Cleaning supplies? Even perfume...
Behavior doesn't change overnight. ALL things are relevant when you are getting to the bottom of things with a 2 year old. If there is something bothering him like a new detergent, he can't articulate it. Head banging is not a normal thing for a child, it has to come from something affecting him or a behavior that he has seen as appropriate.
God bless,
T.,
My 6 year old would do the same thing. When I brought it up to my pediatrician, he told me not to worry about it unless he knocked himself out. Most children are doing it for 3 reasons, they are not getting their way, they like the noise that it makes in their heads and they are doing it to get attention. He told me that he would not do it hard enough to hurt himself, and he never did. Like I said, I wouldn't worry unless you see that maybe he has knocked himself a little too hard or close to knocking himself out. But don't worry he isn't going to do it hard enough to hurt himself.
Good luck.
S.
35 y/o SAHM of 3 boys 14, 6 and 3
my mom tells stories of my older sister doing this same thing when she was about that age. she was throwing tantrums when she was upset. i don't think that he'll hurt himself. normally they don't. they'll stop before it gets to that. she eventually grew out of it. i think that he will,too. my 2 yr old was very good and listened also until he turned 2. then he started spitting (dont know where he got that from), and hitting and pinching and pushing. (that either :)(
Hi,
He just doesnt have the words yet to tell you how he feels. Put yourself in his shoes. What would you do if you could not talk. Be understanding and teach him the words for his feelings show him you know what he means, use facial expressions and hand guestures. He will learn from the visual picture of you doing/expressing and will learn to put the word with it.
Patience and good luck
KM
I would bring this up with your pediatrician. It may be just a phase, or it may be a sign of something else. Your doctor will know better than anyone.
My son did the same thing. We ignored it and he eventually stopped. He did not get the response he wanted. He is now 26 and has a new son of his own. He survived it. Good luck and have fun. :)
ouch!!
he is frustrated. try teaching him another way to let our his frustrations. our daughter used lay down and kick the wall. we would put her in time out for it then explain to her when she is upset to ask for help or say i am frustrated.
I would completely ignore it! When he starts doing this, just walk away and give him no attention whatsoever. Don't even react emotionally. I know you are concerned he will hurt himself, but believe me, when he is not getting the attention he will stop. Do not even mention it or negotiate with him or explain anything. When he stops, give him lots of good attention and praise him for behaving in general terms (without mentioning the head banging). He will get the picture!
The same technique works for temper tantrums. My son used to throw himself to the floor and kick and scream. Then he learned that it hurt less to do that on the carpet, so he would move into the family room and do it there! I read this in some parenting book to just ignore it; actually step over him and walk away. When he had no audience, the behavior stopped. Works like a dream!
It is harder to do this in public....in that case you might need to remove him from the setting quickly and calmly and just wait outside till he is done. Kids do these things because it gives them a sense of power and control to see the adults get so worried and upset. Think about it.....when you are 2, there is very little you actually have control over! He is testing his limits and this is just a normal part of growing up. As they say "this too shall pass!" They don't call it terrible two's for nothing. He might move on to something else, like not eating or holding his breath or potty training struggles...again it's all part of asserting his newfound powers, and is normal and healthy. Your role is to remain consistent and in control of your emotions. It actually comforts kids to be cared for by a well-controlled adult...it gives them a sense of security. When you are not with him, find a sympathetic adult to share your frustrations with. We've all been there!!
Peace to you and your family over the holidays....
K. G.
