So DDs favourite new thing to do is to hit, particularly me. I think it started as a game between her and my stepdad but she now does it all the time, including when she's upset. She actually hit me really hard today and totally blew me away. I've said that the hitting games have to stop but what else can I do? I tell her 'no' but she keeps doing it! I've started putting her on the ground every time she does it and not giving her any more attention until she stops. I've also started telling her 'gentle', which is a word she already has some idea of the meaning of as I've used it to teach her how to treat animals. She did actually hit the cat too, but there was only one incident.

I'm a bit lost here, guys! Is this just a phase? I'm worried if I don't nip it in the bud, it's going to get worse.