Thanks for your advice Girls,

I would definitely try ignoring him if he was hitting me, but as it is other children (particularly kids his age) I have to intervene.

I guess I will continue with smacking his hand and firmly telling him no and taking him away from the children. He definitely knows what no means, but I think if I went on try and explain why hitting is bad etc, he wouldn't understand, as he is only 15 months.

I know it would be a mistake to stop taking him places, as he needs to learn social interaction. When I was talking to my mum about it, she said that one day another child will just hit him back and maybe that will be the best medicine - just hopefully it's a child his age and not a big kid!! Although he doesn't touch the older kids, thank god!

Good luck with sorting out each of your hitting problems, I just keep hoping it's a phase.

Cheers