How in the world do you keep a rough and tumble two year old from hurting his baby brother?

Question

I have a VERY active 2 1/2 year old boy who is as rough and tumble as they come. I also have a 7 month old who is crawling all over the place now. They play good together... until my toddler decides to sit on the baby, or push him over, or pat his head too hard, or throw something at him...

I'm about to pull my hair out. I have used various forms of discipline. Things go okay for a little bit after but then he gets excited and does it again. I know he doesn't realize he can really hurt his brother by doing these things and as hard as I try, I can't figure out how to get that through to him. We've been at this for months and it just isn't getting any better. How do you manage it? Does it eventually get any better or will I have to wait for my baby to get old enough to defend himself?

Answer 1

Trust me, it will get better. My sons were like that, and there are a LOT of kids in this house.  When there's a baby who can't defend him/herself, I keep that one separated, and the others can play on their own. When the baby is moving, I let him/her play under supervision...I am sitting right next to the baby pretty much the whole time they are playing with big kids. When I can't watch, I take the baby to another room with me, so the big kids don't have to worry.

Answer 2

its hard because 2 1/2 yr olds do find it hard to understand other peoples feelings because they're still in that solitary stage.  at my school if a little one hurts somebody i kneel down to his level make sure he is looking in my eyes and clearly say 'you are not allowed to hurt the children. you made him/her cry.' then they'll sit down for 2 minutes. when the time is up i explain that if they hit again they'll sit down again.

it will get better as he gets older, he'll gain an awareness of others feelings.

Answer 3

well you see when i was brought home from the hospital i began to cry and my older brother put a pillow over my face. he walked of of my room and my mom saw him leave and asked him what he was doing with me and when he said nothing my mom went in and checked on me and saw the pillow on my face and took it off. but take him to the doctor or a physical therypest. i don't really know though. this is just coming from a 13 year old.