Domestic Violence

Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 3 June 2008 in People & Portraits.

This happened last week.

I brought the boys out for some Garden creepy crawlies exhibition and Ian was drinking from a bottle.

Caleb stuck his head beside his bro and wanted to drink too.Ian then turned towards Caleb and clammed his jaws on his brother's face.

There was big commotion,i mean from Caleb,no wonder because there was a little bleeding and a bruise appeared almost instantly. Poor boy, it must be very painful.

More to come,so i better go take up some first aid course soon!

Comments (13)

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

OUCH...oops I guess Caleb got a little too close for Ian's comfort, yiiikes, and look at that, no tears....

3 Jun 2008 12:59am

Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa

Oooh Shame poor Caleb! I must tell you a little story - Ethan did the same thing to a little boy from his class when he was not much older than 2. I was horrified and asked the teacher what I could do and she said that I was not to worry as all children their age do it. Because they have limited vocabulary skills the quickest and easiest way to get someone out of their space is to bite them. So don't worry my dear Ty, poor little Ian was just trying to get big brother Caleb to back off a bit!!! hahaha - very nice picture by the way! He looks so sorry for himself!

3 Jun 2008 1:23am

Sue from Singapore, Singapore

Hi Babe, what Mandy said above is true. I have witnessed it myself with toddlers of Ian's age at the childcare I was with. It appears to be a very common phase they go through but don't worry they will grow out of it soon. Of course, it helps to know how to deal with cuts, bruises and knocks. A teacher at the childcare centre told me that Zam-Buk helps. I am going through a phase with Aaron becoming very aggressive since he started school. He thinks he's some action hero! Sigh!

3 Jun 2008 3:32am

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

Ian will not stay in this stage long; but meanwhile, he should get no parental approval or encouragement to linger there. A quick scold and then move on is probably sufficient. Plus as he gets bigger, Caleb will probably take care of setting his own boundaries with younger brother... Caleb's rueful expression suggests this is a portrait well-named.

3 Jun 2008 5:51am

Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States

I think Caleb will be a bit hesitant to take his little brother for granted now - maybe once was sufficient.
Boys will be boys - good and bad! ;D

3 Jun 2008 7:32am

yunhann from Singapore

Thats normal. My mum had one colleague who's 3 year old son sat on her 1 year old baby and shouting "horsey". Its even more scary. Anyhow, takecare! :)

3 Jun 2008 8:58am

@yunhann: oh dear,i hope the younger kid didnt throw out his meal.Have to be vigilant indeed.

Rags from Plano, United States

ouch!

3 Jun 2008 9:50am

Nancy from Singapore

Poor Caleb. Seems like biting as a form of retaliation comes more 'naturally' from the 2nd kid. Robyn used to get bites from Marcus when he was younger. Whenever he bites her or anyone of us (esp if it's me), he would get a smack on the side of his mouth - courtesy of mummy dearest. Then I would make him see what he's done to Robyn.
It's a phase they go through...now he doesn't bite Robyn anymore. He seems to be afraid of her! Hahaha...
But in the meantime, you'll have to be more vigilant because Caleb might get back at him. Kids...

3 Jun 2008 10:29am

@Nancy: haha,i was at a crowded place.My first impulse was to grab Ian by his legs and 'hang' him upside down and spank his buttocks,haha,see i am so violent.But i refrained.I asked Caleb if he could forgive his little bro,he nodded his head.After that scolded Ian. He can tell when i am angry. After that,it was as if he didnt remember,he was ok with bro after that.but he still remembers how it happened and will narrate where he was,what he was doing,who bit him and how it felt everytime anyone asked.Quite a funny sight.

Nancy from Singapore

Hahaha...so now I know where Ian's got the 'biting' gene from. :p
It's very good that you ask Caleb whether he forgives Ian. I try to do that but Robyn will refuse and i'll need to separate them, if not there'll be another fight.

3 Jun 2008 11:36am