I've noticed recently that when's Milo's over excited or really happy about something he smacks the side of his head/temples (quite hard) with both hands.. is that strange or is it just a toddler thing? He still occasionally tries to bang his head on the floor when he's really angry, but that's gone down from 5 times a day to about twice a month thank god. But this new one seems to be nothing to do with anger, it'll be when he's excited by a new toy or when he hugs Noah and Noah reacts to him, and he gets really excited.. Should I try to stop him or might it just be a funny stage?

Id say its prob common enough, though Caitlin doesnt do it. Toddlers are strange creatures. Recently I tapped (honestly it was a tap!) Caitlin on the cheek a few times to get her attention & she turned to look at me and started slapping herself on the face quite hard repeatedly and staring at me for a reaction. It freaked me out and made me feel awful for tapping her face. She hasnt made a habit of it but thank god.

If he isnt seriously hurting himself I would prob just try to distract him (staple mummys answer but I know is sometimes easier said than done!) and/or ignore it. Eg dont give him any attention for it.

Sounds normal, he doesnt have the words to express his emotions adequately yet so is resorting to physicality. Caelyn when shes mad or scared with go totally rigid to the point shes almost vibrating, clench her fists and bare her teeth (she looks mental). Its not quite as exrreme but the priciples the same, shes trying to express how worried she is. If it were me Id maybe take his hands and verbalise his emotion for him by saying are you excited Noah did that Milo? Or Has that toy made you feelhappy? Eventually he will learn what the emotion is and it will settle. Alternatively try distracting him (i do tend to ignore caelyns rigid moments and she stops on her own) but either way i wouldnt worry, once his words come it should settle down

i thnik its normal! Braden when he gets excited stands there with clenched fists and literally shakes and shakes and its really weird to see =o| Think they all have strange little traits!

Thanks Snoop, I'll definitely try distracting him - I'll just point over his shoulder and shout "truck!", that usually does the trick! (he loves trucks)

Mario, Niccsy, he does that stiff/vibrating thing too, I always hope he's not about to explode! I have to turn away and "ignore" it as i can't not laugh at his face when he's doing it

Next time I'll try talking him through it, he doesn't have a lot of verbs or adjectives yet, good with nouns though! So if he can pick up those words that might help him express it better. Thanks for the advice!