I get a lot of parents who enter into my therapy office because they aren't sure how to handle their child's aggressive behaviors. Quite often, they're dealing with a child who hits.
Many times, the child doesn't just hit peers, he's hitting his parents. And, a child who hits his parents, often doesn't stop there. Over the years I've seen lots of youngsters who hit teachers, grandparents, and babysitters as well.
I often hear people say things like, "That wouldn't happen in my generation. Back when parents could hit their kids, kids didn't behave this way." However, I'm often struck by that concept.
Does hitting a child really make the child not hit? Kids learn way more from our behavior rather than what we say. If you spank a child, and then say, "Don't hit," it certainly sends a mixed message.
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