I’m so embarrassed, honestly. My almost 3 yo just keeps biting other kids at daycare. This isn’t the first time we’ve gotten a call, and every time, my heart sinks. I’ve tried talking to him, reading books about being gentle, and even practicing “gentle touches” at home, but nothing seems to stick.
The teachers are doing their best too, but I can tell they’re frustrated. And I don’t blame them! I don’t know what else to do, and I feel like I’m failing as a mom. Has anyone else gone through this? I’m at a total loss.
Oh, Rachel, I’ve been there! My son went through a biting phase, too, around the same age. It’s so hard and so mortifying when you get those calls. Just know you’re not alone, it’s more common than you think, and it doesn’t make you a bad parent. Kids this age are still learning how to handle their emotions and impulses. Hang in there!
Lol, I remember when my daughter bit her own arm to fake being bitten so she wouldn’t get in trouble. 
Toddlers are wild, honestly. But hey, it’s a phase! They’ll move on to something equally baffling soon enough, like insisting socks don’t belong on feet.
Rachel, I feel you. My oldest went through the same thing and what worked for us was focusing on why the biting happened. For my kid, it was usually out of frustration or being overstimulated. We started giving him a “safe” word to use when he felt overwhelmed and taught him to clench his hands when he wanted to bite. Also, having a consistent consequence like stopping play and sitting quietly for a minute helped reinforce the message. It took time, but it got better. You’re doing your best, and that’s what matters!
Been there, done that. My kid is now 7, but back in the daycare days, she was a biter, too. What helped us was involving her in “repair” after the incident like drawing a picture or saying sorry to the kid she bit. It helped her understand that her actions affected others and gave her a sense of responsibility. Don’t be too hard on yourself, this phase doesn’t last forever!
Thank you both for sharing! It helps knowing this isn’t just my kid. I think I just feel like every other parent has it figured out, and here I am, googling how to stop toddler from biting for the millionth time. Maybe I need to remind myself that this is a phase, even if it feels never-ending right now.