My 2.5 year old has just hit a really tough stage. He doesn't want me, he doesn't want any cuddles. Any time I try to cuddle him, he pushes me away, says no or 'go away mummy'. He's got super independent, doesn't ever want me to hold his hand now or help him with anything. He's refusing all food I make him and if he doesn't get what he wants he hits me, throws things and screams, which he never used to do. I'm still struggling on how to set boundaries. Everybody has opinions on how to parent and I feel so lost. I want to gentle parent but I want to set clear boundaries or what is and not acceptable. I've tried to be firm and say its not nice to hit mummy, I know your frustrated and then if he keeps doing it, give him space but I don't really know what I'm doing. He will just laugh or keep hitting. Some people say to put them in a different space, some say not to. The older generation have a very different opinion on how to parent. I want to be kind and gentle but firm but I don't want to keep getting hit in the face. This is such a hard stage and I'm not ready for him not to want cuddles and his mummy anymore🥺 anyone else feel like this?
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I’m sorry you’re going through that 😔 I’ve had some rough bits with my daughter and spoke to the HV who gave me some information on how to handle this but I’ve not had a chance to read it as of yet so I don’t have any advice apart from saying there’s a Facebook page for gentle parenting, I’d recommend joining that and asking in there, they give amazing advice and it is all firm but gentle x

My boy 'lashes out/hits/kicks' when he is told no. We are just trying to be consistent and it seems to work in a way.
1st time just say no that hurts/not kind
2nd time hold hand/foot still so can't hit/kick and repeat not kind
3rd time time out. Now if he's put in a time out within 1-2 minutes he comes to say sorry and rub the hurt area better then have cuddles.
He definitely understands what he's doing but when his emotions take over he looses that.
I also don't really follow parenting styles so have no idea what this would be sorry x