Help. 3yo son is starting to hit a lot - his sister, the cat, me. Separated from dh for almost a year now, but I think it's just sinking in for him.He is so broken hearted when I scold him, but I feel that I cannot allow the hitting. I think I do a good job of getting him to tell me when he is sad and misses his daddy, but it's just becoming really hard. I'm trying to make plans for him to see DH outside of the alternative weekends, but DH is either unavailable or can't commit until last minute.

Time outs work if you can put up with a few days of consistency. Every time he runs away you put him back. Do this as many times as it takes. It once took me about 20 times before she gave up and sat there and accepted it, once had a friend that had to do it about 40 times. Stay right there and when he sits up sit him back down right away. Be sure not to spend any time lecturing b/c it is suppose to be a punishment. Now all I have to do is say the word 'time-out' and my dd doesn't bother with whatever she was doing. Any men in your family (brothers or anything) that would get a little more involved so your son has some male interaction?