Head Banger For Life

For a year or so now we’ve been battling our head-banging son, Jackson.  He’s two, and his preferred method of venting his frustration is to bang his head against the nearest floor or wall — even if the surface is very, very hard. 

While it might save us a buck or two come college time, we’re appropriately appalled by this behavior, and we’ve been using the standard parental tools to combat it.  But, time-outs haven’t really worked, the electroshocking only worked for a week or two, and our favorite response — “Use your words, Jackson.  Use your words.” — has been completely ineffective.

Until last night, that is.  Last night, Jackson grew frustrated while on the changing table and actually asked, “Bang my head?”  When I answered negatively, he dropped the questioning tone and shouted “BANG MY HEAD!”  I was so happy that he was using his words that I just smiled warmly and tickled him.  He laughed.  It was a milestone moment between parent and child.  The boy actually used his words!!

Then I sat him up to put on his shirt and he slammed his head into the wall.  As hard as he could.

I left the room, went to the computer, and put a complete stop to his 529 college savings plan.