[kacmom1]

I would much rather have someone come to my house to take care of my child. It will be so convenient for you...you won't have to leave early to get the child to daycare, if you son is still asleep, you won't have to wake him and he'll have the security of his own home.

I do caution you about the nanny having her own child. If he is biting now, he will probably continue and it could be a problem again with a new day care person. I think you need to figure out that problem first! Did you talk to your pediatrician for any tips? Is the child disciplined (whatever your form of discipline is?) when he bites? I would hate to see the same situation happen to you again!
Good luck,

[mommytoEli]

Well....I just want to say that my ethan was always on the receiving end of the biting...he got bit all the time at school...and it was sad ....so I applaud you for really thinking about what situation would be best for your child. I vote for the older lady, too. But really what you want is someone with lots of patience....and no or one other child. I definitely don't think I could have someone else with children in my house while I'm away...I'm too neurotic...well, maybe I could do it, but then I'd put up a secret nanny cam and watch them from work

[allido]

I think the older woman sounds like the best situation. You might also want to contact a local college and see if any child-development/early childhood education students need "clinical" hours- and might be interested in working with your son for an hour or two once or twice a week when he's at daycare or at home. Like someone said, the change in daycare situation might add to his stress and escalate the biting for a while. One-to-one attention with a "behavior tutor" might help him learn alternative, more appropriate ways of managing his anxiety, anger, or whatever the underlying reason for his biting is. Good Luck!

[jenniferw223]

WEll I met the older woman today and it looks like he will be going there. I just need to check refernces, etc. Right now she only keeps one other little boy but is looking for one more full timer. She has had a biter before and says she can handle the situation. I am going to go over there again on Tuesday with my son and spend some time with her. (I did not take him today because he has the hand, foot, and mouth virus). I also think the fact that the daycare workers are always changing may be causing him some anxiety. He has had enough change in his life. I want him to get attached to one care taker and keep him in one place for a while. I am also going to make some phone calls on my next day off and call a child psychologist and a behavior specialist that was recommended to me. I have talked to my Ped and she recommends Damian see somebody and be evaluated. I think things will work out. I can tell you since he has been home with us since Thursday he has not bitten. Maybe daycare was causing him alot of anxiety. It breaks my heart to think my baby is feeling this way. The daycare is really good and my nice and nephews will continue to go there. I am jusr upset with them for the ZERO notice. I appreciate everyones advice. Oh and another plus the home care provider is the next street over from my mother in laws house. So maybe she can go get Damian and spend more time with him too. I haven't talked to her yet to tell her but I think she will be excited.

[cerca]

Sorry you are going through this. I have watched children in my home and one of my twins was a biter. I have never really found the biting thing a reason to expell a child. Biting is a phase that can be dealt with if you are on your toes as a provider...there are signs that a child is about to bite. Also it is a phase that I have found most kids outgrow fairly quickly.

I would go with the person you feel most comfortable with but I would make sure they understand the biting is going on...you don't want to have to find someone new in a few weeks. I have had kids I watch bite my kids and I handle it the same way I handled my own daughter...it does not make him a bad kid in any way!!


Good luck!

Jess

[shelbydog]

I too would go with the older lady if you can. Why are you seeing a child psychologist or having him evaluated? Biting is a normal stage! It is frustration. I could see perhaps a speech evaluation if you feel he is behind in speech, or perhaps sign language, but this isn't behavioral I don't think at least. I've had nieces, nephews and friends who were biters (and have been bitten). I've never heard of any of them getting expelled for it. Mia just got bit at her daycare. She cried, they put a bandaid on it and she was fine. I was not upset at all. It happens! Evan got bit once at gymnastics also - the child was 2.5, and bit him. I think it's sometimes easy to "judge" the biter, but just remember that it can be your child who bites one day(or hits, or pushes). It is upsetting but I try not to be so quick to judge. Every child is different and biting is a normal sign of frustration. Good luck!

[momevanmatt]

My son was also a biter, hiter etc when he was a toddler. The daycare was nice enough to help him and I through this stage. I guess I would be concerned that all of your options have young children so the behavior will continue. Whoever you choose the two of you need to come up with a strategy to help your son through this stage. We used a sticker chart with my son. His teachers at the daycare worked hard with him to earn his stickers so that he could be rewarded at home. I let him have a glass of chocolate milk if he earned a sticker and if he did not he did not get the chocolate milk. This really worked with Matthew. Good luck finding childcare is so difficult and stressful.

[jenniferw223]

The biting has been going on for four months now. So I think it is a little more then just a stage. We have tried everything and nothing seems to work. I just want to talk to a professional just to get some opinoins and advice. I am not sure I need to take him to see someone I just want to atleast talk to some people and see. I have discussed his biting and with the woman I am probably going to choose to keep him. I don't want to be in the same situation I am in now a month from now. Sometimes Damian would bite three times a day at school and he bit almost everyday for months. I do think the teachers always changing did have something to do with it. I am just trying to research all avenues to get us all through this "stage" and to make sure my baby is safe and happy.

[CareBears82]

I think the older women sounds like the best choice. I guess with #3 I'd be to worried about snooping and personal property. Such as what if her child got hurt by something in your house? Also, I'm not to keen on the idea of her basically bring her child to work. It's one thing if it's in their own home to have their children there, but to go to the child you are caring for's home with your child is another thing.

[doghouse]

Again, the biting is a speech/communication issue. You sound like you are doing the right thing by being open with the "old lady" and, from experience, the smaller and better supervised daycare situation will be less stimulating. Hopefully he will not feel so frustrated with the new situation.

[Carrie7310]

I would stay away from having someone in home because I think you are technically required to have workers compensation insurance for an in home employee. Typically homeowners insurance would not cover injuries for an in home employee leaving you liable. I looked into having a nanny, but when you add in the cost of insurance, a child care center was much more affordable.

By the way, you are so lucky, our daycare is about twice the cost. I am jealous!

My daughter also went through a biting streak. I talked to her each day before school abut not biting and also got a book on biting that the school read as well. She got over it pretty fast. It is awful to deal with though. I felt so sorry for the other kids.

Good luck.