My 2 year old is normally very sweet, affectionate, and empathetic. She is also very moody and has BIG emotions. Lately when she gets mad (which is every day, at one thing or another) she has been hitting me. I've been doing all the things I've read about, I've tried following Big Little Feelings (I took their course), I don't have a big reaction. I tell her hands are not for hitting (we have a book with that same title that we read), that hitting hurts, and I gently hold her hands down or step away and tell her I'm going to stand over here so I can be safe. I validate her feelings, talk to her about it. She's still doing it. She doesn't hit her dad. She only hits me. Every day.

I'm so frustrated. I'm very upset about it. It makes me feel really sad. I am sure there will be plenty of things in parenthood that make me feel like I'm failing as a mom but this is my current struggle and it's hard. I don't know what else to do. I don't know if it's silly but it makes me feel really sad that she only does it to me and not her dad. I just feel like I have no idea what to do here. Does anyone have any suggestions or kind words? I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.