We were at MOPS and since it was the last meeting of the year, they were giving recognition to the volunteers who watch the kids every meeting and all of the kids were out in the main room with the parents. Well, it got crazy (stick 30 kids ages 5 and under in a room together and there's no other word for it but crazy) and suddenly Elijah came up to me all upset. Upon investigating, I find out that he bit another girl on the arm. I mean teeth marks, black and blue, broke the skin hard. I felt awful. Elijah never ever bites. Licks, yes (though that's another story). I know it's awful to think, but I immediately thought this girl was seriously provoking him for him to do this. #1 - he never EVER bites and he knew the second he did it that it was wrong; he came over to me extremely upset #2 - the child gets frustrated at times, but he's never lashed out with biting. screaming, yes. stomping, yes. growling like a monster, yes. But never biting. #3 - the little girl is very fiery. earlier in the year she body slammed Elijah into the wall, saying he was in the way when she was trying to go somewhere, and then didn't even bother to apologize. so there's some animosity between them already..

I showed concern for the little girl and tried to get Elijah to apologize (he knew he was supposed to but he was upset b'c he also knew he was going to get disciplined for his actions). I hadn't disciplined him immediately b'c I wanted him to say sorry right away (they were leaving). The little girl mouthed off to me demanding I punish Elijah a lot and right now! I nicely explained that as Elijah's mommy I would choose the discipline I saw fit and apologized for what happened in Elijah's stead. I promptly disciplined him (and he didn't fight it at all!) and came out to find them still there, so Elijah apologized. After continuing to profusely apologize to the mom, I find out that the little girl was a horrible biter, so the mom had been in my shoes many a time.. Guess the girl found out how much it sucked to be on the receiving end. Anyway, the mom was fine - she understood and we made peace. My gravy...

__________________
~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2

It's sounds like you handled the situation beautifully so kudos to you as a mom. Kids at this age sometimes have a hard time using words to express their anger. Hope he doesn't do it again.

Oh you poor thing. My oldest only bit a child one time and he was about the same age as your ds. He was at preschool and the teacher was reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar to them. The story ended and the little boy next to my ds said "how do caterpillers chomp through all that stuff when they are so small?" and my ds said "like this" and chomped the heck out of the kid's arm. The teacher called me to tell me about it and I was mortified! I had to call the mom (didn't know her well at all) and luckily she was very sweet about it.

It happens to all of us at some point. Just be thankful the mom was understanding!