18 Month Old's Angry Possessiveness

[Meriby]

So, my 18mo daughter has, for the last week and a half, been behaving very aggressively whenever someone has a toy that she doesn't want them to have. The toy doesn't have to be her own and it doesn't have to be something she is actively playing with. For example, when the cat walked past a toy she hit him, screamed no, and picked up the toy. The aggressiveness escalates with people, especially children. Screaming, hitting, pushing, running to take away a toy if she notices someone else has it, etc. She is an only child and I don't make her share something she is playing with, but I don't let her take toys from other children and encourage taking turns when she and her friends are playing with a common toy (like a ball).

Anyway, I think I'm doing fine on the disciplining aspects of the problem. What I'm really looking for is some wisdom about what is causing these issues. Yes, she is at the stage where she learning that some things are hers, but is it normal for her to be so upset about someone (even the cat!) approaching her things?

[mamacat]

Typical 18 month behavior for some types of personalities.I dont know if sharing is a concept they can actually get at that age.You may have to just keep working on the gentle hands and no hitting thing while kind of redirecting

[Findabhair]

Following. Dealing with the same behaviour except I am the "toy".

[CelticJourney]

I would look back and see if anything has changed over the last week and a half. It sounds like something triggered a need for control over her environment Keep in mind that good things, like learning a new skill, can throw off that emotional balance for a bit.

My fall back answer is 'it's August, I hate August, it makes me mad' so I would expect a one year old to be pretty grumpy too

[Meriby]

Good thoughts, everyone.

We had been traveling a lot on July, so maybe it stems from not being home much. And, she has been sleeping and eating a lot lately so it might be developmental. And, she is getting her bottom molars. Poor kid! So, I guess I'll fall back on, 'this, too, shall pass'.