The Biting Issue
Tonight my husband and I went out to a movie leaving my two children with a babysitter, and her sister whom is four.
After the movie we come home and ask the sitter about her evening, all went well she informed us.
I go to check on my kids before retiring to bed to find my two year old still awake and whining, he point to his arm where there is clearly a strong imprint of teeth that slighty tore the skin.
The outline of both the top and bottom set of teeth was clearly displayed.
Given I have a five year old that clearly fights with her brother time to time, I question her on the bite, and she informs me it was not her, but the babysitters younger sister whom had bitten my two year old.
I do not always believe my five year old, so before jumping to conclusions, I ask my daughter to bite into a big marshmellow while still leaving it intact. The teeth marks are not a match. Thus the other suspect will be over tomorrow and we will run her through the marshmellow test. I do not need to as the evidence is clear, but in today's society, something as simple as your child bites, can lead into a messy case, therefore all evidence must be presented clearly.
A baby will bite, a toddler I can see, but a four year old, this is not easily dismissed. And so where is Judge Judy?
P.S. My children do not bite, as similiar to that of touching a hot stove, the first time they bite me or my husband the bite back was memorable enough to end the desire.
And what are your comments?
Tonight my husband and I went out to a movie leaving my two children with a babysitter, and her sister whom is four.
After the movie we come home and ask the sitter about her evening, all went well she informed us.
I go to check on my kids before retiring to bed to find my two year old still awake and whining, he point to his arm where there is clearly a strong imprint of teeth that slighty tore the skin.
The outline of both the top and bottom set of teeth was clearly displayed.
Given I have a five year old that clearly fights with her brother time to time, I question her on the bite, and she informs me it was not her, but the babysitters younger sister whom had bitten my two year old.
I do not always believe my five year old, so before jumping to conclusions, I ask my daughter to bite into a big marshmellow while still leaving it intact. The teeth marks are not a match. Thus the other suspect will be over tomorrow and we will run her through the marshmellow test. I do not need to as the evidence is clear, but in today's society, something as simple as your child bites, can lead into a messy case, therefore all evidence must be presented clearly.
A baby will bite, a toddler I can see, but a four year old, this is not easily dismissed. And so where is Judge Judy?
P.S. My children do not bite, as similiar to that of touching a hot stove, the first time they bite me or my husband the bite back was memorable enough to end the desire.
And what are your comments?
4 Comments:
Ouch. Possibly a messy case indeed.
Biting could be indicative of a problem, depending on how often it occurs. A four year old who habitually and routinely bites people is not someone you want to have around your kids. However, I think isolated instances may also occur, that fall under the category of "stuff happens".
I recall fighting with my younger brother once - he was probably eight or so at the time - and he gave me a pretty good chomp on my arm. It left a pretty impressive set of marks. Just one of those things that happen when you're a kid that you laugh about years later. (He probably doesn't even remember it.)
Pretty good detective work,there, with your marshmallow test. If I ever need to find out the truth from a group of kids, I'm gonna give you a call.
Pat
By
Anonymous, at 10:09 AM
Don't worry Pat, I'll bite em back for ya, and where it hurts too.
As for the kids, play mates come and go, right now it is bite marks, soon hickies! :)
By
Anonymous, at 1:04 PM
Crystal hmm another topic that is somewhat timely. I'm surprised by how "normal" people perceive biting to be. Your method of handling it is one that I would have followed IF my kids had ever bitten anyone. I'm simply amazed at some of the stuff I read about other kids doing. While it might be a normal one time reaction to frustration and inability to express emotions, the responsibility lies within the parent to teach that child it is an unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.
Good detective work... I'm interested to hear how you handled the rest of this..Nancie
By
Anonymous, at 3:27 PM
Nancie,
Seems we have similar mind set in many areas.
The situation did not get overly messy, as the following week the four year old came to play and I simply asked her why she would bite my son. She reponded with I don't know. I stated that he behaviour was not allowed in my home therefore future play dates are not allowed untill further notice.
But for future use the marshmellow supply has been stocked. :)
By
Unknown, at 11:39 PM
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