Something new happens everyday...

In the 3 odd years working as a psychologist, i have experienced many "difficulties" and "injuries" while working with the children. I have been kicked, pushed, tripped, thrown things at, spat at, hit and shoved at. Once i even had my wall maimed when a child thrown a table at it and made a big hole in it. But today is the first time i have been *seriously* bitten by one of the older child (i.e. stronger) on my wrist. The last time, a smaller child bit me on my thigh but though my thick denim skirt so no serious damage was done. This time round, damage assessment had me with a swollen right wrist (why? why always my right hand??) with deep teeth marks and it is starting to hurt like hell though i didn't feel anything when it happened. I suspect the whole thing will turn purple soon.

I got bitten while trying to stop him from hitting his head (very hard) with his two hands and he was also starting to bang his head on another child. Not being new to the job, i did try to take the necessary precautions like stopping him from behind instead of the front (more target area will present itself you see) but i didn't realized that he was much stronger than some of the other children that i had and feeling extremely frustrated at that moment (that always lends more strength to the child) so he bit me while i was trying to pin his two hands down from hurting himself and then he refused to let go. I didn't feel anything at the moment though the teacher was rather shocked. It was tough getting to child to let go of my wrist when he was biting down with all his strength and frustration, and i had to press down on his lower jaw and telling him firmly to stop it, before he let go. The teacher tried to help but it was also quite difficult for him because i was stuck in a rather confined space with the child. Ah I guess that's what you call occupational hazard?

Wrestling children to stop them from hurting themselves, others (myself included), and destroying property is part of the job i guess, though i am thankful it is not a daily occurance since the main point of professional help is to stop such episodes from occuring in the first place. But, there are unforeseenable instances like this one occasionally. Still, nothing a little antiseptic cream and plaster doesn't fix. *grins*