Thanks for your comments ellibugs. There are times when we have smacked him when he does something to put himself in danger, i.e run on the road. Its difficult. I think he is learning but he is at the age when you just have to keep consistantly reinforcing things and its driving me crazy having to say to him over and over, no hitting. We give him time out or confiscate a toy if he was hitting with a toy. He does it when he is excited...which is very often, or when he is frustrated. I just wonder if there is a way he could understand if I show him other ways to express himself. I'm just not sure how.