I cannot believe the other mother did nothing other than say “not on the face”. So where is it appropriate to bite another child? If she parents this way, I imagine your values will not align on other things. I’d be steering clear of her.

This happened to me 35 years ago and I did the exact same thing as you did – nothing! I stopped going to play group as a result though.

It’s the new age parenting method- just let the kids do what they want. No discipline. It’s a tough situation when you’re going to see the other mother again. I’d be keeping my kid away from that one.

the other Mum should have gotten off her butt, not only talk with some firmness to her little one but at least apologised and importantly asked “Is your child ok?”. If my child did that, I would have been embarrassed as a mother. It may be the first time it happened to your child and the way you handled it, was a good thing but it is still infuriating when the other Mother doesn’t show empathy. And judging by the reaction of the mother, your child wasn’t probably the first to be bitten by this child. Both my boys had bitten others but also had been bitten themselves from others, Myself and the other parents were always on the same page on how to address our children… And saying sorry or showing sorry was a start. Even at a young tender age. They are sponges and learn really quickly.

yes kids bite , even thought none of my 5 were biters but had been bit while at daycare and usually we didn’t interact with other parent but if it happened in front of me , depending how bad the bite was i would be ropeable that the mother didn’t care or pull her child up about biting by only saying , not on the face !!! ..NO how about NOT AT ALL !!!! ..i wouldn’t be able to help myself, if the mum just brushed it off that would make me angry as hell and now i’m an older mum in my 40s i’ve cooled down a bit but my eldest is 30 so back then i wouldn’t of been as laid back n probably started yelling n screaming at the mother’s attitude..

There’s no excuse for that woman’s lack of manners. Just quietly distance yourself from her. Be polite but don’t associate with her outside of this group.

I’d be furious! You are your child’s protector so i can understand it may be difficult, but the child needs to be able to feel safe

Fortunately we didn’t have this problem often, but I always took it really seriously if my kid hurt another.

This is totally unacceptable. I would be mortified if this happened to my child. I would have pulled the mum up and asked why she didn’t do more.

Its unacceptable behaviour. I would watch my child very carefully when around the biter.

Yes, she should have apologised but making a scene won’t help. Keep your child away from that child and be ready with a firm NO if it happens again.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 18 Jun 2024 , 7:45 am

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  I agree, making a scene won’t help.

The other mother should have apologised and spoken to their own child about their behaviour. Im aware they are still young and learning, but biting has to be stopped there and then.

I personally would have addressed the issue at that time it happened. Not accepted and should have been corrected.

Wow that makes me mad just reading about it. She should have apologised and removed her son from the situation. She sounds like a lazy parent.

I would have said something and I’d be moving my child away from the other child as well.. :/

I would have addressed the incident immediately for the benefit of everyone. Biting and being injured is not acceptable and this kind of behaviour needs to be managed.

I think it’s good you didn’t say anything to avoid a scene.
In general a response to a biting toddler should be calm and not strong and punitive (as that would be very reinforcing).
Although I agree that the other mum could be more pro-active, we all have our different personalities and parenting style.

Yeah, that doesn’t sound like an appropriate reaction. If my kid was the biter, I’d be pulling him off and apologising profusely.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 16 Jun 2024 , 4:42 am

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  I agree; parents need to be responsible for the actions of their young children.

This is not acceptable behaviour at all. I would have asked the Mum of the child what is going on here! If she knows her bub is biting she needs to nip it right now and an Apology is in order. I would be keeping a eye on my bub and directing her/him away from the other biting child. I know kids go through this phase but for the safety of your own kids keep an eye on the playing children. You were right not to make a scene but if it happen again or to another child speak to the Mum and ask her to watch her child more and redirect the child.

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  • • Mumof4 replied
    • 16 Jun 2024 , 6:52 pm

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  Completely agree with this!

I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do, but I would have gone a little off on the mum to stay within reach of her child if she knows they are going through a biting stage. It’s not okay for another kid to bare the brunt of the outburst.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 15 Jun 2024 , 6:14 am

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  Supervision of our kids when they go through a biting stage is certainly appropriote. And sometimes when our kids aren’t able to apologize themselves, we need to help them or do it for them