Another child bit my baby in playgroup... Advice please!

[littletree]

I've finally gotten around to bringing my nearly one year old to a playgroup. It was all going swimmingly until the end when they brought out bikes and scooters for the little ones to push around/ride. My little guy was sitting on a horsey and a little boy who was 3 came along smiling and pinched my sons cheek rather hard. I took his hand away and said that wasn't nice and stroked my babys cheek and said 'gently'. The other boy then copied me and stroked my son. No harm done. About 15 minutes later he charged over to my son and I thought was nuzzling my son playfully. But then I noticed to my horror that his jaws were clamped on his shoulder in a bite. I was horrified and yanked my boy away. There was a general uproar and much sympathy from the other mums and the boy's mum finally came over and reprimanded him. I understand that this little boy is something of a bully and it was absolutely awful watching my baby get hurt like that. There is no violence in my home and I don't want him learning these things from other children. Help! Is this just a fact of life that I will have to accept? What should I do when this happens? Any advice and shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

The mother and toddler group I helped run was ABC - adults babies and children and we had a carpeted area for the babies surrounded by chairs for mums/carers etc.. with baby toys and baby chairs. It usually went smoothly but you'd get the odd baby escapee! But usually a mum or leader would help out. I suppose it depends how many leaders there are and how it's run?

Mums with babies go to these groups as they can be seriously lonely and it's sometimes the only adult conversation they get. A well run group is a Godsend.

Some people call mother and toddlers playgroups

Near me we have library mornings in Dulwich, Peckham and Camberwell, Babygym in Camberwell, One O'Clock clubs at Peckham Rye and Crystal Palace, Soft Play at the Peckham pulse, an excellent playgroup that's good for littlies in a Church Hall in E Dulwich, Whippersnappers music at Brockwell Park (and lots of other places) and a good wed am playgroup in Peckham. There are lots of other things going on, including mini-music in Camberwell on Saturday mornings. Obviously I don't take ds to all of these as I am, apart from anything else, far too lazy!

For anyone who was interested in this thread. I don't usually read Junior these days as it tends to make me vomit several times per issue but there is an article in this month's about toddler socialising, and rough and tumble, boisterous vs quieter children etc. It looked quite interesting - but I've only skim read it so apologies if there are any howlers in there.

I've never heard of Junior, Jimjams, what is it?

It's a very glossy parenting magazine- carries ads for t-shirts for 2 year olds costing 50 quid etc.

I only bought it as it has a fantastic ad for a dyson washing machine- double paged spread- thought I might laminate it for ds1!

Jimjams, I'd never pay LESS than £50 for a t-shirt for dd ...

I'll check it out, maybe annoy the people in WHSmiths by reading it off the shelf.