Santa's Watching

We have been struggling a bit with Mya's impulse to bite and hit at any given moment.  It usually occurs in the evening when we are being goofy and playing around.  One minute we are playing, giggling, and tickling.... the next minute I have a miniature JAWS coming directly at me going in for the kill.  She may be small.... but her bite is big!  I have tried a number of different approaches. 

1. Time Out-  This works....SOMETIMES.  Sometimes I'll say, "If you bite, you will go into time-out."  Her response, "Ok!"  Other times, I put her in time-out, she cries, says "Sorry" and gives me a heart-felt hug.  However, the behavior continues the next evening.

2. Firm "No!"- I try this approach often too.  As I see her opening her mouth, I firmly say, "NO!" Ok, I admit, I also tend to close her mouth with my hands (semi-gently) and then say the firm "NO!"  She usually gets terrified and screams as if I have just beaten her with a wooden spoon!  Again, this stops the behavior at the moment but it continues the next evening.

3. Santa's watching you!  This is my new approach I've tried.  Just this year, Mya is kind of starting to get the idea that this "man dressed in red with a white beard named Santa" will bring her presents if she is a good girl. I told her he is watching her and will bring her presents if she is good.  Here's her response to that information.
Mya: No hit, Santa bring presents.
Mommy: Yes, if you don't hit, Santa will bring you presents.
Mya: No bite, Santa bring presents.
Mommy: Yes, if you don't bite, Santa will bring you presents.
Mya: No pick my nose, Santa bring presents.
Mommy (cracking up inside!): Yes, if you don't pick your nose, Santa will bring you presents.

Well.... I guess I will count my blessings and hope that Mya, at least until Dec. 25, will not hit, bite, OR pick her nose!