Mad/ frustrated bitter!! Gentle parenting

Looking for ideas & advice gentle parenting mamma & secure attachment, so please be kind ❤️ something that has worked for their toddler to get through the angry and frustrated moments! I’m a bit at a loss on this one my son is 2.5 years and every time I tell him no he bangs his head on the nearest wall and heads over for a comfort hug and a deep painful bite any where his little jaws will reach🤦‍♀️ iv tried saying “ we don’t bite people “ and moving away or I have to stop playing now what ever the situation. But I usually end up having to pry his teeth from my skin. Iv tried offering someone else to bite, or yelling into a pillow, hugging him from the back instead of the front when he needs comfort from the big feeling but I still get bit… It’s also probably not helpful I can feel myself become a bit inflamed when he starts bitting, looking for something I can do that will help him through this one and not ending in me with more bite bruises

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I don't think you should be trying to "gentle" parent a not so gentle child. Even if it has to do with angry and frustrated moments. He will walk all over you and keep biting and start doing worse if you are not firmer and set clear firm boundaries. Saying "gentle parenting" suggests its the more caring and loving kind of parenting when as parents we need to (obviously without abusing our kids) make sure they are very clearly made aware of right and wrong. You are mad, frustrated and bitter so maybe best to try a different approach to make sure he stops doing that and you are happier. We go through enough as moms to also have to be bitten on a daily basis. Remember being firm is showing love too. Wishing you the best. x

As a mum of an almost 3 year old boy who also bites when frustrated, I don't know how anyone gentle parents!!! My kid headbutted me yesterday and I've got a huge bruise over my left eye. Cuddling him and telling him it's all okay was the last thing on my mind 😔😔

This is difficult. Clearly the strategies you have tried haven't been working, maybe it's time to try a more authoritative approach? Not saying hitting or biting back. (Although got to admit: that would be my 1st instinct.) But perhaps its about seeking attention bc he knows it pushes your buttons and gets reaction? Next time he bites, try: don't say a word and don't make eye contact, turn away, immediately put distance between you and the kid. Even go out or leave the room. Stay away with no words or eye contact for 1-2 minutes then resume normal interactions. Repeat each time he bites. Then you can explain "Biting is not okay. I won't let you bite. When you bite, I will leave." When he uses a teether or a soother instead, give him lots of that positive attention.

It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling frustrated. At 2.5, he’s still learning how to regulate those big emotions, and since he’s seeking comfort right after, it sounds like he doesn’t quite know another way to release the frustration. Since moving away doesn’t seem to help, maybe trying a calm but firm boundary in the moment, like saying, ‘I won’t let you bite me, but I’m here to help you’ reinforces that biting isn’t okay while still keeping the connection. Some parents find that modelling other ways to release tension (like squeezing a pillow) consistently over time helps. You could also try narrating his emotions (‘I see you're feeling really upset right now’) to help him build emotional awareness. You're doing an amazing job navigating this- it is so hard when our own emotions flare up too! Hoping you find something that works soon.

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