cat fight or teaching?

Pennie's starting to get a little too rough with her 9 week old babies, for my taste. One, the little girl who most wants Pennie's comfort, just came up and Pennie fought her down, on her back, then bit her. The kitten, Alice, cried, and tried to fight back, but Pennie won. Is this normal teaching, or should I separate them?

She is just teaching them. They are most likely perfectly fine.

I agree with Jen. Mother cats have to teach her babies to listen so she can teach them how to stay safe.

Normal teaching - mom is probably working on weaning them and refusing them "dinner".

O.K., thanks so much. She had me worried. It just looks so violent! One time she didn't want one playing with her (she never does, lol) and when he wouldn't quit playing, she held him down by the jugular. Yikes! When she would let go, he'd go right back at it, and she'd hold him down, again. It took several times, before he got the clue. I was worried that she'd hurt him, but he seemed none the worse for the wear. How I'd like to be in their brains sometimes!

Some Mother cats are calmer than that. Miy Mother cat was kind of violent, too. Especially with Kiko who would not pay attention to any rules.

The others are right - this is normal. I know it looks violent and makes you really want to step in and rescue the kitten, but she's just doing what's natural and teaching them how to grow up