Recently, my child returned from preschool sporting a bite mark on their arm, and here’s how I reacted: with calmness.
The incident report indicated that my little one didn’t even shed a tear, and they were grinning when I picked them up. I trust the educators at the school to appropriately address the situation with the other child involved. Do I need to be upset about this incident, especially when my child seems unfazed? Absolutely not. Blaming the other child or their parents isn’t necessary either. Kids are unpredictable creatures, after all. When they stray from expected behavior and decide to express themselves in ways that might involve biting, I’ve learned it’s best to approach the situation with understanding rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
As long as the teachers and parents are addressing the behavior and guiding the child toward better choices, my child simply experienced a moment of another kid’s learning process. And that’s a perspective I can embrace because all children, including mine, are on a journey of growth and development.
Not every child resorts to biting or hitting, but I can’t think of any who hasn’t needed some behavioral correction. Whether it’s about not throwing food or learning to share toys, we’re all working towards raising better individuals. Therefore, in circumstances like this, blame serves no purpose. After all, as long as the adults around are helping to correct the behavior, my child was merely caught in the crossfire of another child’s learning experience, and I’m completely okay with that.
To the parents of the child who bit mine: it’s alright, your child is growing. They’re doing their best, just like you. My kid may have been on the receiving end this time, but there have been moments when my child has pushed others too. I remember feeling awful during those times, wishing someone would reassure me, “We’ve all been there. It’s okay.”
So, to the parents of the little one who bit my child: it’s perfectly fine. Your child is in the process of learning, and this wasn’t an act of bullying or malice; it was simply a toddler struggling to express their frustrations. They’ll get through this, and in the meantime, my child has shown growth as well. Just six months ago, they might have retaliated, but now they handled it with grace and continued playing.
My child is doing well—and so will yours. We’re all on the same team in this parenting journey.
Love,
A Mom Who Understands
For those navigating similar experiences, you might find this blog post about parenting helpful here. And for authoritative insights on child development, you can visit this resource. Additionally, check out this guide, which provides excellent information regarding pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, parenting is filled with unique challenges, including dealing with incidents like bite marks. By fostering empathy and understanding, we can navigate these situations alongside our children, helping them learn and grow in a supportive environment.