My son has just turned 2. He’s very strong willed and pushing boundaries. I’m picking my battles but don’t want to be a pushover.

For example he will start messing with a door in the house, opening closing and slamming shut. If I ask him to stop he will do it even more and escalate the behaviour. This applies to Anything.

He hits quite a lot too. This isn’t out of frustration. Being firm and saying “no” just doesn’t work. It seems to set him off more. He laughs in my face.

I refuse to use physical punishment. I acknowledge good behaviour and try distract.

My other half refuses to use naughty step or time out as he’s read it can be detrimental before 3 years.

He doesn’t communicate much yet and I really don’t think he’d understand a reward chart yet.

Help!