Comments on: What Would You Do?

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:18:27 +0000

I would have done the exact same thing you did. And I hope that someone would do the same to protect my kids. .-= Kristin´s last blog ..Update! =-.

By: Penny

Penny — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:58:14 +0000

I think this generation of parents are getting away from the idea that when your child is under the watch of someone else, you have to assume that they will parent however they normally parent. They will not transform into YOU. (you in general, not You you, you know?). Also I loathe how the mere thought of slapping, hitting or spanking is akin to child abuse. Sigh. .-= Penny´s last blog ..Incomp_tible =-.

By: Angella

Angella — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:05:23 +0000

You did what I would have done.

You did awesome.

By: slynnro

slynnro — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:42:07 +0000

I don't think you should PUNISH other people's children. But protect your own? Damn right. You were doing the latter. .-= slynnro´s last blog ..The Weirdest Thing To Ever Happen. EVER. =-.

By: Darcey

Darcey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:16:36 +0000

Having a sister so much younger than me forced me into Mama Bear mode more times that I can count. One instance, when Bug was about 7, with a kid that had the same first name as last name (with just a letter differentiating the two names), was tormenting my sister and throwing things at her. After a few verbal reprimands, I saw him push her down when her back was turned, and when he wouldn't go sit on the time-out bench, I walked over, picked him up and placed him under my arm, and placed him on the bench. (Granted, I wanted to drop him on his little butt, but I was trying to be a nice, if angry, person.) Now the teacher on duty saw this and said nothing. But I'm sure a mother wouldn't have been so calm. I didn't hurt the kid, but I made it VERY clear that it was unacceptable behavior, and should he get up from time-out before he was allowed, I would physically place him back on the bench and start the timer all over. .-= Darcey´s last blog ..Solar Panel Fun =-.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:55:35 +0000

I would think it’s probably a situational thing. People can feel one way or think they feel one way, but not know what they would really do until a situation occurs. I currently feel that there is a significant difference between protecting the well being of others in the face of a potentially dangerous situtation with a child that is not yours – and – disciplining a child that is not yours, in which case I think that shouldn’t happen.

By: Kitchen Vixen

Kitchen Vixen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:36:56 +0000

I’m in agreement with you as well- slapping somebody else’s kid as a punishment is not something I could bring myself to do, however, knocking a rock/knife/especially pointy wood chip out of someone’s hand is well within my “ok” realm.
When working at the farmer’s market I’m very careful not to touch people’s children, even when they’re hurling themselves at an open bowl of salsa. I just tent to try get my hand between theirs’ and the food.

By: TUWABVB

TUWABVB — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:30:19 +0000

I can’t even believe that anyone would debate hitting/slapping another child to protect others. You aren’t trying to hurt them, or even discipline them – you are trying to avoid harm to others and perhaps shock the child enough to get them to stop doing what they are doing. I would totally act as you did – no questions.
.-= TUWABVB´s last blog ..The Power of Nyquil and Walmart Compels You =-.

By: paperdiva

paperdiva — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:21:50 +0000

This is one of the most uncomfortable situations to be placed in as an adult or parent, and every case is different.I would probably not smack, but be THINKING about smacking that kid the whole time. And if it’s the child of a relative or close friend, I probably would, and then sit down the little hooligan and explain why I clocked him.
I’m trying to remember ever laying a hand on someone elses kid and I can’t think of any examples. But I can think of many where I did nothing and felt powerless and wish I had said or done something,
.-= paperdiva´s last blog ..December 11,12 & 13 =-.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:08:02 +0000

Would I physically discipline someone else’s child if there was no threat of physical danger to themselves/anyone else? No, but I probably would mention to the child that the behaviour was not okay and then make sure that the guardian/caregiver/parent was aware of what happened so that they could deal with it (depending on how badly the kid was acting). If I, or someone else, stood in harm’s way because of the child’s behaviour, then yes, I would without a question physically intervene. It sounds like the knife-mom may have over-reacted, but if it was a situation where she had to decide whether to smack the knife-carrying child’s hand to get rid of the knife, and she made the decision NOT to touch the knife-carrying kid, and children were injured by the kid holding the knife, how could she possibly explain to those parents that those kids got hurt because she did not intervene?