Hi my 20 month old has started pushing other children. He seems to only do it to the children who can stand up and it isn't in anger, usually just in excitement. However when the other child cries and we say to be gentle and tell him not to he goes up and does it again. I have tried removing him, telling him it is not nice and to be gentle and 'we don't push, we cuddle or pat gently' (only introduced the pat or cuddle as it was a positive instruction rather than a 'don't'. I am not actively encouraging him to go up to people and stroke them!!! LOL!)

Anyway I am sure it is a phase but what did other gentle parenters do when their little ones did this?

The only other parenting techniques I have seen demonstrated by my fellow MG mums (of children the same age) are naughty step or smacking Both techniques that I neither believe in nor condone.

Thanks!