Comments on: When your child bites, what do YOU do?

By: Mummy Tries

Mummy Tries — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 11:47:16 +0000

We only had two biting incidences with our almost 5yo when she was about 2½. The first time she was at nursery and given a stern talking to and time out. The second time she caused her friend such obvious pain, she clearly felt awful about it. A few times she looked like she was going to bite (always when she was really over excited) but I’d intervene before it happened, distract her and stop it in its tracks.

Personally I’d never bite back as I don’t think it sends very good messages to the child. My friend went down this path and bitterly regrets it now.

Good luck! Hope it’s a short lived phase…

By: Char Paulsson

Char Paulsson — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 09:21:08 +0000

My daughter went through a bitey phase for a week or so, we went with Option 3 and she learned very quickly it was not acceptable. I don’t think she was really trying to be naughty, she just discovered she could do it and was curious!
I personally can’t understand Option 1, it seems like it is sending mixed signals to me! “You can’t bite when you are unhappy, but its okay for Mummy to do it”

By: AtoZ Mummy

AtoZ Mummy — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 06:11:40 +0000

For me I’d be torn between 1 and 3 but don’t think I could actually do it and not sure I agree with the message. I think ignoring babies that bite is fine but when a child is old enough to know whether their behaviour is acceptable then they need to be made aware that biting is not. I personally however would not make a massive deal out of it but would probably treat it the same as if they had hit. I think we as parents are more concerned by the biting as the results are worse butto the biter it’s probably not much different. I think you handled the soft play incident perfectly. These kids are sent to try us!!! Xxx