Why do children sometimes punish themselves after being reprimanded?

Question

My child smacks me and when I tell her that's naughty she smacks herself, sometimes quite hard. I have never smacked her. She is 2 years old. Is this common and does it stop as a child gets older.

Answer 1

My little brother used to have the same problem when he was a toddler as well. Except instead of smacking himself, he'd run to the nearest wall and hit his head on it. I'd have to run to my mom to make him stop since I was in kindergarten during the time. But he did grow out of it. And he doesn't have any psychological effects from it either. He's now 16 years old. I don't remember what my mom did to make him stop though. :\

Wow, this didn't really help at all. XD But I suppose try and stop her from smacking herself, and explain to her that hitting people isn't good because it hurts their feelings. That's the best I can think of.

Answer 2

It might be because she is disappointed and trying to show that to you, or it could be a power thing.  When you tell her it's bad to hit you, she then hits herself.  She's might be finding a way to continue to be defiant towards you.  She knows she isn't suppose to hit you, but she hits herself, not only continuing to disobey the rules, but she also sees that it hurts you even more.  I'd say it's her testing the power.  Maybe try acting very calmly when she does this.  Don't say anything or look upset.  If she does it hard to herself, calmly hold her hands, but try to show that it is not affecting you, and maybe she'll get the point and stop.  

Answer 3

I've seen it too.  Someone smacks her though for her to think being bad equals a smack.  I'd be more concerned about that.