DD is 2.4. She has a friend (boy) of the same age. I met the mum when both children were a few weeks old, and have always got on really well with her.
Problem is that her DS bites and scratches at EVERY opportunity. I have literally lost count of the times he has bitten DD, and she has now been badly (and purposefully) scratched by him on 2 occasions. The children are also in nursery together for 2 days a week, and he is also a prolific biter there too. (Not just to DD).
Now, DD is no angel, and certainly does her fair share of snatching etc, but is not aggressive in any way.
This 'phase' has now been going on for around 15 months, and I'm starting to get completely sick of it!
At first, I was very laid back about it, and just took the attitude that these things will happen (all toddlers have phases, there but for the grace of God go I) sort of thing.
TBH, at first I was more concerned for the little boys mum (my friend) as she seemed very upset/stressed out by her son's behaviour, and along with comforting my DD, I was also sort of minimizing it to some degree in an attempt to make my friend better.
However, 15 months later, it is still happening with increasing regularity to my DD, and everyone else's children too! There is an 'incident' with someone in the group literally every time we see them.
It also appears as though the mum has almost accepted that this is the case and doesn't really do a great deal to either prevent it or punish it tbh. She often gives her ds 'time out' but goes about it in a half hearted and inconsistent manner- last time, after he drew blood quite badly on my DD, she called him over about 1 minute later to give him cake, with my DD still bleeding & crying in my arms!
The mum has recently tried to tell me that this is a phase that most boys go through(?!), that she is doing everything she can, etc, etc.
However, I'm no longer convinced that she is doing 'all she can'. I have witnessed her not following through on threats to leave etc. She has also previously attributed this behaviour to teething, and has even blamed his 9 year old sister.
I just do not know what to do. On the one hand the boys mum is my friend, but on the other I don't want to keep exposing my DD to this boys' (IMO unreprimanded) behaviour.
I have started to limit contact/avoid them slightly, but feel like the crappest friend in the world for doing so...and a bit spineless tbh.
Anyone had any experience of this?
TIA