My younger son is 21 months old, and definately a strong-willed toddler.  My problem is that lately he has been hitting his older brother (age 5), who never hits him back.  He's hitting other children even small babies who try and play with him, and when told "no," shrieks at the top of his lungs, or throws a fit.  I've been reading up on discipline and there are so many different approaches, and when he starts hitting, I take him out of the room, sit him in a chair (I have to hold him there), and tell him "No hitting--be nice." I try and make him sit for about a minute.

He doesn't talk very clearly at all, and has only just started putting words together, mostly "Daddy bye bye,"  "here you go," "Mommy go." I know that he understands more than he can say, though.   Is the hitting just frustration?

This has been going on for a few months, and it's just getting worse.  My older son is almost angelic with him, and starting to get very hurt about the fact that his brother hits him all the time.  I wouldn't blame him if he starts to hit back soon.   Is any attempt at discipline at this age futile? Are time-outs the way to go?  Aside from strait-jacketing him, how do I keep him from hitting other children?  I'm starting to worry that he's going to be perceived as a little monster.

Thanks for your input--it's greatly appreciated.

Diane