Being a parent is a journey filled with surprises, highs, and struggles. For Molly Mae Hague, a 26-year-old influencer and mother, this journey recently included a challenge that resonated with many parents worldwide: her two-year-old daughter Bambi biting children at nursery. Molly Mae shared her candid experience in a recent YouTube video, discussing her feelings and the complexities of tackling this behavior.
Parenting and “Testing Boundaries”
Molly Mae openly revealed her discomfort with the incident, stating, “It’s the complete opposite of what I want my child to be.” She emphasized her desire for Bambi to grow up as a kind and caring individual—but admitted that, at two and a half years old, testing boundaries is a natural phase. “This isn’t the first time it’s happened,” she said, highlighting that biting seems to be a prevalent behavior among toddlers in Bambi’s nursery class.
The Gentle Parenting Dilemma
The nursery follows a gentle parenting approach, which focuses on empathy and teaching rather than punishment. According to Molly Mae, the school’s response is to teach children that their “mouths are for eating food, not biting others.” However, she questioned this method, wondering if Bambi truly understands the gravity of her actions in such a setting, where discipline is gentle and corrective rather than firm.
“She knows the environment she’s in,” Molly said, adding, “She’s not going to be told off, have anything taken away, or be placed on a time-out.” This led her to question whether the lack of direct discipline might be contributing to recurring incidents.
Should Negative Behavior Be Acknowledged?
Molly Mae also grappled with whether to acknowledge Bambi’s actions at home. On one hand, ignoring the behavior could prevent her child from receiving the attention she might be seeking, but on the other hand, addressing it might inadvertently encourage the behavior. She even turned to AI assistant ChatGPT for advice on the matter, which advised against punishing the child twice for the same incident, as toddlers may be unable to connect morning actions with afternoon repercussions.
Parental Realness
In her video, Molly Mae expressed the embarrassment and emotional toll these incidents have placed on her. However, she felt better after taking the step of calling the other child’s parent to personally apologize. “All I want is for Bambi to grow up to be kind and gentle,” she reflected.
Solutions and Recommendations
The issue of toddler biting is neither unique nor insurmountable. Experts suggest age-appropriate tactics such as reading stories about kindness, teaching children other ways to express anger, and gently redirecting their behavior. Molly Mae’s relatability and transparency about her struggles have garnered praise from her fans, with one commenter saying, “Your realness surrounding motherhood and parenting is so comforting.”
Helpful Tool for Parents
If you’re facing similar parenting challenges, consider exploring tools designed to support gentle parenting and discipline. For instance, Mindful Parenting Journals provide resources to track your child’s behavior and nurture positive habits while keeping your parenting journey on track.
Parenting is all about learning and growing—both for the child and the adult. Molly Mae’s openness is a reminder that no parent has all the answers, but together, we can navigate the challenges with empathy and understanding.
