Our 2 yo son is pretty rough with his little sister (10 wks) and I was wondering what we could try to stop it. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he deliberately hurts her, but the cuddles are usually that little bit too 'squashy' and he will 'nip' at her cheeks and scalp with his fingers - like a little pinch. Not hard enough that I feel I can discipline him for hurting her, but certainly more than she or I are happy with! He also loves to give her frights by dropping things or suddenly screaming at the top of his lungs.

I tried ignoring the screaming which worked for a while, but he's started up again (possibly because L finds it difficult to ignore stuff and usually makes some sort of comment). Now I try to just get up, take Jade and go to another room without saying a word. But I'm not sure if that's such a good treatment. I guess if I include him again as soon as he stops . . . . (sorry, thinking on-line!!)

The roughness I find really difficult to deal with. I get pretty annoyed with him, and myself for not being able to protect her (it just happens so fast!). I've tried turning my back on him and telling him that if he can't play gently then he can't play with Jade. But I don't think that's really getting through. In the last couple of days we've tried just taking Jade away to another room, but that's not going to help his feelings of isolation and I also don't want him to think that he can make her go away by being rough.

Obviously we explain over and over again that she is little and gets hurt easily and that she is his little sister and he must help us look after her. We make a big fuss when he is gentle and point out how she then smiles at him.

How do you stop this sort of behaviour without upsetting his delicate balance and at the same time helping to foster a close relationship?

Thanks, as always, for your input.