My friend has a 6mo baby that I am around alot(at least 15hrs a week). I know I don't see everything but what I do see makes me wonder about what he will be like in a few years. As an example of what concerns me, I have noticed that both the mother and father allows and encourges the baby to bite on their chins, shoulders, arms, etc., he has no teeth now, but he will have soon and I see this as inviting a problem in the future that will need discipline. I have not been around many babies, but I have raised and trained several dogs from puppies, and know that not allowing a problem to devlope is better than trying to fix one later. For example, None of my dogs have ever licked people, because I never let them do so as puppies. Sure it's cute for an 8wk old pup to lick you but a 70lb dog can make a mess. My friends baby does things now that are cute because it causes no harm, but as he gets older these things will at least cause severe annoyance. Is it wrong to point these things out
2007-01-23 13:14:40 · 6 answers · asked by CJ5Jake 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
For the record I have not said anything yet, And I know about teething. the question is not necessarly about the chewing, it is about letting your babies do things that they will have to learn not to do in the future. I must have picked the wrong example for the first three respondants to get the wrong idea about what I was asking
2007-01-23 13:28:49 · update #1
Unfortunately, you really don't have a role in his discipline, per sey. You are a family friend and while your concerns are valid and well thought out it's not really your place to tell them how to raise their son.
I think more than anything they would take offense if you tried comparing their child rearing to dog training. I would just bite my tongue if I were you and let them learn for themselves.
I see your intentions and I think they are good, but I don't see that they will be well received in this scenario.
2007-01-23 14:11:38 · answer #1 · answered by wendysorangeblossoms 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love dogs, I have two and my screen name is a combination of theirs. But, get real. Comparing a human infant you a dog is crazy. I am a Child Development Specialist, I see no problem with what they are doing, it is called bonding. I do not consider it to be very hygienic, but it is not my child. I feel sure, when teeth appear the game will loose it's appeal. Once again, do not compare a child to a dog. Itchi and Anna agree.
2007-01-23 14:40:11 · answer #2 · answered by itchianna 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baby's gums hurt, it's called teething. They need to bite on something. It in no way invites biting as a issue when the child gets older. The two have nothing to do with one another. I would not interfere with other parents parenting styles, unless you think their is abuse going on. I see no hint of that.
2007-01-23 19:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by olschoolmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's wrong to point your "ideals" out to your friend-it's probably not welcome. I have lots of childless acquaintances and a few in-laws that for some reason compare having dogs to children-they are two different species. If she asks for advice, give it to her, but otherwise stay out. My son at 6 months old would sometimes bite my fingers-he's now 17 months old and has never taken a chomp at me-it's called TEETHING!
2007-01-23 13:19:57 · answer #4 · answered by me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stay out of it, it's not your place to say. And you are wrong. For a baby that is teething its soothing to bite on things. I have let both my children bite on my finger while teething. Neither of them were ever "biters" So your theory is incorrect.
2007-01-23 13:20:51 · answer #5 · answered by The Pig! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm with them...Its teething. Babies aren't puppies, if you don't know about babies don't try to act like you do. They are too fragile and could be seriously messed up by people not know ing what to do with them
2007-01-23 13:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by lynnabugg 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋