I don't even know where to start with this.. I am having a feeling like a bad mum day I guess.. DS is becoming increasingly aggressive.. hitting and biting. Usually it is in play - he will be playing with you and get a bit out of control and lash out. His biting is getting to the point where noone in the family wants to pick him up - he will snuggle in and then give you a nip on the shoulder. Today was the first time he has hit out in frustation. He was trying to take his comfort blankie outside and I said no and took it off him. He chucked an absolute wobbly and start hitting at my legs. I went to pick him up to say "Don't hit mummy" and he wacked in the face several times. (I feel like crying writing this). I put him down on the ground - I guess to remove him away from me - and leant down to say no hitting and he hit me again in the face.. The only thing i could think to do was to put him in his room and shut the door. I said "You have to stay in here because you hurt mummy and hitting is not allowed" and then shut the door. He was banging on it screaming "Mum mum mum". I timed it for one minute exactly (is that a Supernanny rule?) and then opened the door. He flew into my arms and threw his arms around my neck for a big hug. I pulled him back and said "Please don't hit mummy again. It makes her sad and it hurts. Please say sorry mum". He put his head on my shoulder and said "Srrr Mum" (his version of sorry).
We went back to play and a little while later, he went to hit again. This time I managed to catch his hand, and said "Don't" as sternly as I could. It was very close to his nap time so I felt like this was the most I could do at the time.

Anyway.. I guess my questions are based on how or do you discipline? Am I expecting too much of him at a young age? Do you think the time out is appropiate for a 16mth old? I am just really not sure. So for the only advice I have recieved is pearls of wisdom from my MIL - typical "A good smack will cure that". I am not against smacking - in the correct situation. If he was going to touch a hot stove for example, a smack on the hand would be better than a skin graft, but I don't believe in smacking FOR smacking. I believe I would be setting the wrong example and if mummy/daddy smacks why can't I?

I am not even sure if any of this makes much sense because I am now a blubbering mess thinking about him screaming "Mum Mum". If I haven't psychologically damaged him, I may of done it to myself..