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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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What do you do when your child bites you?

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4 Comments

I have zero tolerance of biting, whatever the reason, whether it be frustration or temper, I think it is unacceptable.

I remember many years ago when my eldest daughter bit her friend whilst on a play date, I was mortified. I will openly admit that I was very happy sitting on my moral high ground thinking that my daughter would never be "that" child, so I apologised profusely and in my fury, almost dragged my daughter down the stairs and frog marched her to the car and home.

She sobbed. Alot.

She never bit anyone ever again and her little friend will say to this date, some 4 years later, "that we don't bite because Auntie Donna doesnt like it" I think I must have made my point.

I always knew that she had bitten in frustration because she was the petite one, the cute one, the little one and she never had size or strength to win in an argument, so whilst I understood it still didnt mean I was more tolerant. Biting is something that children need to learn is unacceptable.

So fast forward 4 and a half years, right up to this morning when my youngest daughter was trying to move me out of the way and she bit me!

I squealed. Alot.

I looked down with a mixture of amazement and horror. Had my one year old really just bitten my leg? The bruise on my thigh confirms this to be true. I was gobsmacked. She has never been the petite or the little one (she is very cute though), so whilst I understood her inability to ask me to move but biting is unacceptable. She got sat down on the floor.

She cried. Alot.

Trying to instill discipline into a small child that has no concept that she may actually be hurting you is difficult. I am a firm believer in boundaries and discipline but at 14 months old, she isnt going to understand the naughty step or time out but I love this idea I found online. A woman wrote that she used this idea and it is so simple: "My daughter would bite when she was angry, sad...anything. I would look at her in the face after the bite and calmly say, "We don't bite. We HUG." I think this is lovely and whilst I hope that I dont have another biting experience, I can cope with a hug too.

We like hugs. Alot.

 

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Comments

  1. Oh gosh, yes, this brought me right back to when my Miss A bit me. Yes it was only the once...thank goodness! Hope it was only the once for you too! REPLY: So far so good :-)

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  2. Fortunately we've not had to deal with biting (yet!) although I know it is very common. It sounds like you've handled it perfectly! REPLY: Thank you - fingers crossed x

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  3. I have been bitten by my children when they were younger but never more than once or twice. I found that the squeal of pain teamed with a little cry (real or pretend) is enough to enable a child to realise that they have upset and that biting leads to sadness. Ozzy recently bit someone at Kindergarten, totally unprovoked, walking behind another child he bit a shoulder. I was told that Ozzy was really distressed that he has caused upset to his best friend in this way and he's not done it since. I try and see it as an act borne of curiosity and not malice in younger ones x REPLY: I agree, lets hope its not repeated x

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  4. I think the shock that goes with a parent's yelp of pain and surprise is enough to stop it. Both my children bit me - once, and never again. REPLY: Fingers crossed then x

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