Jill wrote:
Just a kid I know, Just curious. How would you guys handle a 2 and a
half year old child (boy) who kicks?

Try to intercept them before it happens.
Try to avoid situations that might lead to kicking (over tired, hungry,
overstimulated, over powered).
Remove them for a short time if they do kick.
Hold their foot/leg if I intercept and explain that kicking hurts, keep
their feet quiet etc.
Help them express themselves more appropriately. Sometimes I'd pretend not
to see it if it wasn't a major incident ;-)

He kicked one of his grandparents, who promptly spanked him,

I'm a lot more appalled at the spanking them I am at the kicking.

I am not a big believer in
spanking but I do think I would spank R. for something major and
intentional, and where safety is concern.....snip..........
But I am telling you, if this kid had kicked *me* (it's a relative),
I think I would have spanked him too. He is out of control.

A 2.5 kicking isn't major, isn't a safety issue, and it doesn't mean he is
out of control. Toddlers push, kick, spit, hit, bite, slap, scratch etc.
Some are more impulsive and physical and do it more but it doesn't mean that
they, or their parents, are bad. They simply have to learn more
appropriate behaviors.

--
Nikki