Prue DeAraugoHelp – I am raising a Vampire
January 31st 2009 11:36
I am pretty happy about the way my daughter has developed so far. She is quite sociable, although a bit shy at first, she has a bright smile and her laugh is infectious. Lately however she has developed a taste for human flesh.
It started out slowly; first, she used to bite the coffee table when she didn’t get her own way. Now she has started biting me when I tell her not to do something, or I am trying to teach her not to pull the cats ears (the cats seem to be more patient than me at times). So far I haven’t heard any reports from day care of her biting staff, or other children, but I would rather avoid that if at all possible.
I have been advised by friends that I should bite her back, but this seems like an extremely cruel way to discipline a child of 19 months, when I don’t think she fully understands that her behaviour can be harmful to others.
So far, I have taken the line, praise good behaviour and ignore the bad. Usually I stop playing with her, put her in a corner and ignore her, until she has calmed down. Sometimes she tries to bite the floor. After screaming on her own for a while she will often come over to me and start chattering like nothing is wrong (did I mention she was a Gemini?).
I have found a fantastic article on the psychology of biting, which gives you a different perspective. I can certainly understand how a toddler may feel powerless, and just wants some attention from those she loves. To read this article click here.
If there are any parents out there who can share their wisdom on getting through the biting phase I would very much appreciate it.
It started out slowly; first, she used to bite the coffee table when she didn’t get her own way. Now she has started biting me when I tell her not to do something, or I am trying to teach her not to pull the cats ears (the cats seem to be more patient than me at times). So far I haven’t heard any reports from day care of her biting staff, or other children, but I would rather avoid that if at all possible.
I have been advised by friends that I should bite her back, but this seems like an extremely cruel way to discipline a child of 19 months, when I don’t think she fully understands that her behaviour can be harmful to others.
So far, I have taken the line, praise good behaviour and ignore the bad. Usually I stop playing with her, put her in a corner and ignore her, until she has calmed down. Sometimes she tries to bite the floor. After screaming on her own for a while she will often come over to me and start chattering like nothing is wrong (did I mention she was a Gemini?).
I have found a fantastic article on the psychology of biting, which gives you a different perspective. I can certainly understand how a toddler may feel powerless, and just wants some attention from those she loves. To read this article click here.
If there are any parents out there who can share their wisdom on getting through the biting phase I would very much appreciate it.
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Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
I wrote more than 70 pieces on every aspect of life with my daughter (who is now nine). I checked but nothing on biting so, sorry, I have no words of wisdom or otherwise to offer
Comment by Aimzster
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The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
We have tracked down who taught her to bite. When I picked up Samantha from daycare she had a huge bite mark in her back. Some kid had bitten her. I was damned annoyed a day later the mark is still there. Apparently the girl who bit her is a known biter at daycare and now the staff are shadowing her all day. So I guess thats where samantha has learnt it!
Comment by Camie