Hitting and Biting

[nikbrad]

Mackenzie will be 2 next month and I'm at my wits end with her biting and hitting. It all started about 6 months ago when at mothers group one little boy decided that he would jump Mackenzie like a gorilla and pull, hit and bite her. After 4 weeks of his antics she decided enough was enough and started hitting back. I'm not sure if this is what started it or I'm just trying to make excuses! Anyway today was the last straw. She hit a little girl fair in the face (even though I watch her like a hawk I'm not always quick enough) while we were out today and after a 30 second stand off with me apologised. Then off to the supermarket to get something for dinner - we were in there for 10 minutes max and at the check out I got hit in the face with both hands one after the other about 6 times. I'm ashamed to say I didn't stay very calm and grabbed her hands and said no very firmly and then told her (rather loudly and not in a very nice tone) that this is the reason we shop online. I just want to know how others cope and how to get her out of this habit. She bites when she wants something and is angry and hits when she has do do something she isnt keen on ie nappy change, being carried when she wants to walk which happened today. I don't believe in hitting as this only enforces that what she is doing is ok and the same for biting back. At home we have a naughty corner but we have been using this for 6 weeks now and nothing has changed. Any suggestions on how to get our angel out of this terrible habit/behaviour?