Hitting.

I've heard so many theories from both instructors/professionals and those specializing in early childhood development but for the most part, hitting is a learned behavior. Maya is hitting. We do not hit her. We do not hit each other. Where has she "learned" it? If she disagrees with someone, she raises her hand to strike you and says NO! Particularly other children - with the preference being her cousins Sophia and Jadiel. Now, someone explain my child's violent behavior? If she isn't learning it, is it natural self defense? She hit one of her best buddy's, Luna the other day. I was embarrassed and hoped Luna's mama, Dulce wouldn't be upset. She told me it is a phase, one that Luna already went through. I don't know why, but it took her to tell me this for me to feel like it isn't a "learned" behavior but something children do.

Now tell me this, to all you specialist, how do I correct her? She is so young, and correcting her is a losing battle in my back. I say "No!" and she strikes me or anyone again. She just doesn't get the concept of correction and discipline.

My point is, sometimes it takes another mama to help you see the normalcy of your child. Another calm mama to show you that this to shall pass and that my kid isn't a maniac.

Here she is with her best buddy, Jadiel.

Here is Jadiel being a sweet older cousin despite being beat up once an hour.