💡What to do when your child hits you

Good afternoon Geniuses, and congratulations to last issue’s winner of the Step2 Foldable Flip Seat.

The YouTube channel CocoMelon is approaching 200 billion total views. If each of those views was for 2 minutes, that’s over 760,000 years of viewing time. Some young fans might argue that still isn’t enough as they reach for your phone.

Daily Inspiration

“Parenthood…it’s about guiding the next generation and forgiving the last.” - Peter Krause

STRATEGY

What To Do When Your Child Hits You?

It may not alway seem like it, but it’s a good sign that young kids and toddlers explore boundaries and new forms of communication. Our reactions to their behavior help shape their understanding of the world. Here are three positive ways to react when your child hits you. These will help discourage hitting while maintaining your relationship.

First, avoid dramatic reactions like “Ouch! That really hurts!” Instead, try to redirect them with a more appropriate behavior. For example, “Excuse me, you can’t hit me. If you want my attention you can get it like this.”

Second, avoid judgement like “Don’t be so mean,” or “Stop acting like a baby.” Try curiosity instead: “What are you trying to tell me?”

Finally, set boundaries. And then, follow through. For example, after saying “you are not allowed to hit me,” if the behavior continues, you can create a physical barrier with a pillow or create some distance to stop further hitting.

With patience and persistence, you’ll get through this phase.

GOOD FINDS

Things That Caught Our Attention

• Flight attendants, trained to spot warning signs, fight human trafficking in the sky.

• Dealing with information overload when in comes to parenting advice.

GENIUS PRODUCT

Better sleep at home or on the go

Reducing the amount of light in the room is a tried and true way to improve your or your child’s sleep. The Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain is an easy way to achieve near total blackout in just a few minutes. They stick to the glass with suction cups and fold up compactly into a carrying case when not in use. These will absolutely improve sleep quality and duration. It’s a no-brainer investment.

Games

Trivia

• In the United States, what percentage of newborns are twins?

• When does a child’s brain reach its full size?

ANSWERS FROM LAST TIME

• Babies’ smell receptors have developed by 10 weeks, in the first trimester of pregnancy. They start to smell in the womb and become familiar with the scent of their amniotic fluid.

• 12 to 19 month olds average average 2,368 steps and 17 falls per hour, according to a detailed study in 2012.

ONE LAST THING

🧥 📦️