Re: Agressive Behavior

From: Mary Louise Hemmeter
Email: ml.hemmeter@vanderbilt.edu
Date: May 25, 2006

Comments

Hi Stephanie:

This is a tough situation for a lot of reasons. I would recommend several things:

1. If you can, talk with the other mom and make a plan together. I am guessing the other mom feels badly too. 2. FIgure out why they are engaging in these behaviors. Do they do it when they are mad at each other, when they want to have some time without each other, when someone has something the other wants etc. Talk to them about what they can do in those situations. For example, come get an adult, go to a different room, ask to go home etc. You and your friend can decide some acceptable alternative behaviors and talk to the boys about those behaviors. 3. Have a conversation them about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. 3. Choose your battles - as much as I hate to say it young children say mean things to each other. You may decide not to focus on that but to focus on the behaviors that are agressive like hitting.

I hope that helps some.

Mary Louise