Land Shark

Henry is a biter. It drives me nuts. It started when he was a baby and I have no idea why. 

The first time it happened  he was around 6 months old. He wasn't crawling yet but was quite mobile and had teeth. I was standing near him and he log rolled right over and chomped down on my ankle like he was a shark going after some chum. I had no idea what to do other than pry his jaws open and remind him that people aren't food. 

Today he bit Charlotte for the first time in months. I made him apologize and get his big sis an ice pack to put on the nasty bruise he gave her. I wanted him to see how upset and hurt she was, but I was also biding my time trying to calm down so I could think of a proper way to discipline him without losing my shit. 

I asked him "do you know what it feels like to be bitten?"

He said, "no"

eureka! I had my plan!

Me: "hey henry!"  

H: "yes"

Me: "I want you to bite yourself to see what it feels like."

H: "ok... Like this?"

Me: "no, harder"

H: "Chomp... Ouch, that hurts! Whimper whimper. I need an ice pack"

No shit kid. Did you see the bruised skin and teeth marks you left behind on your sister? 

As a parent you can talk until you are blue in the face but sometimes they just don't get it until they've experienced it first hand, or tooth in this case. 

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