DD bitten by 4 yr old friend- WTD?

[*Efjay*]

I would casually say to the child in mums ear shot "now no biting today, OK?"

[LuluHB]

If the mother has acknowledged that its an issue previously and still hasn't done anything about it, then I think you need to be a little sterner in dealing with her and her child. I don't interfere initially when kids in the playground don't share properly with my girls, push in on the slide etc but do reinforce to the girls that that child is doing the wrong thing. If it continues I will say to the child that they need to share/wait their turn and then it steps up to saying it loudly that hopefully their mother gets the hint and intervenes. However, if one of my kids is being physically hurt the kid gets one chance and that's absolutely it. I would be telling the mother that she needs to do something about her kid's behaviour, and I would definitely be shielding my child from hers like Epacris suggested. Kids need to learn to fight their own battles, but they are also entitled to expect their mum to get in there for them when it goes too far. Its a difficult situation given you are in a small town, but social niceties and whatever difficulties the other family is having need to take second place to your DD's welfare, and if other mums have stopped play dates for the same reason you'll probably find you get a lot of support.

[NaeNae]

If you see the child in question acting inappropriately I don't see why you cannot step in (especially if the childs mother won't) and in a low tone voice just say "biting is not nice" or " do not bite" just something .... if the mother gets upset you then have a window to discuss the childs previous outbursts.

I have scolded my niece for her rough behaviour but I do let her get rough with DD to a point as well just to see if someone steps in. If they don't I have no issue with it and I usually say something just loud enough for SIL or MIL to hear.

A few times niece has dug her nails into my face and I have really growled at her and had her in tears, there is little parents can say when they can plainly see the marks!

Nae x

[helle]

If you see the child in question acting inappropriately I don't see why you cannot step in (especially if the childs mother won't) and in a low tone voice just say "biting is not nice" or " do not bite" just something .... if the mother gets upset you then have a window to discuss the childs previous outbursts.

I have scolded my niece for her rough behaviour but I do let her get rough with DD to a point as well just to see if someone steps in. If they don't I have no issue with it and I usually say something just loud enough for SIL or MIL to hear.

A few times niece has dug her nails into my face and I have really growled at her and had her in tears, there is little parents can say when they can plainly see the marks!

Nae x

This is what I'd do. Afterall the protection of your DD comes first, and it's not like your belting the living daylights out of this other child. By the age of 4 she should really know that biting other kids isn't on.