Lessons Learned?

Obviously, I had no idea what motherhood involved before I had a child.

Earlier this week I had to teach my son socially acceptable ways of responding to anger and frustration. He attempted to bite another child.

Tonight our discussion was directed on self protection. I told him if you mistreat your body, (poke yourself in the eye, for example) you could injure it for a long time. It's the only body you've got and you are responsible to take care of it to the best of your ability.

I don't remember my mom having discussions like this with me, though. I did not come into this world knowing how to handle my emotions or to care for myself. However, I never imagined motherhood would involve teaching someone these basic life lessons.

Has my child become overly dependent on me to guide him through this world?

What if I wasn't there - would my child learn by biting and by hurting himself?

As his mother, what is my role? How carefully should I steer...and at what point should I step back?

And where can I find a textbook for mothers? Or take a course entitled MOM101?

I need to know before I warp this child irreparably.