Smacking - sometimes it's just hard not to do!

[PrincessBandit]

In at the local city council offices today I witnessed 2 toddlers helping themselves to pamphlets and running around with them. When one of the staff members tried nicely to get them back the youngest threw a screaming hissy and held them behind her back (all of about 2 years old). The (older) woman reached around saying something like "how about I take these and you can have this one" and the little missy open hand smacked the woman across the face. All of this with 2 adults who were with them doing nothing.

The elderly man with them mumbled something about "sorry" but not another word was said. As they walked past me apparently happy as larry I said "I'd have been disgusted if either of my children had just done that". Well, I got a rant over how it was all the government's fault and how they'd end up in the shit it they dealt with the kid; the woman then butted in and told me to "stay out of it". (Which I know I should probably have done, but it incensed me that the little brat could just do that and neither the mother or grandfather - which is what the adults appeared to be to these girls- did a thing).

Apparently they'd be in there for some time before I went in, being general little pains in the arse completely unchecked. Then to top it off with slapping a staff member across the face! The reaction on all the other people in the building was shocked, but not one person said a thing. Except me cos I just couldn't help myself. Aaaaarrrrrggggghh! And we wonder why when they get to school they're already uncontrollable. Hmmmm. Go figure.

Rant over!

[98tls]

Crazy eh,Still no doubt in there teens or so someone will tire of there crap and put them on there arse.

[YellowDog]

I would have voiced my disgust too.

Simple answer:

The parents should be held accountable; charged with assulting a staff member and also creating a public disturbance.

I suspect that their next visit would have been more peaceful.

[MSTRS:Me]

Those parents/grandparents would be the types that wouldn't discipline their kids anyway. Blaming their inaction on the govt is just a copout. One of them could have removed the child at the first sign of escalating trouble.
(Technically they are right though. You are not supposed to smack as punishment, only in an attempt to stop the child harming itself or others. Who could foresee the kid slapping the staff member?)

[pzkpfw]

I blame the way things are seen as Black and White in so many areas. In this case, any "violence" at all, in any form, is now "wrong" and evil and gets you arrested.


I have a mate who was sent to hospital with a broken arm; whacked by his Dad with a 2 x 4.

That was wrong, OK? We all agree?

Now those toddlers in that office in the OP, on the other hand; a smack (more to shock than hurt) would have been a nice quick way to say "stop it now".

That's not assault. Right?



(Me = Father of two, in case anyone wants to know.)

[crazyhorse]

I know quite a few parents that do smack their children - and I say "good for them"

Didn't do me any harm, and neither did my kids any harm. At least they learnt right from wrong and also learnt to respect people and things.

Good on ya PrincessBandit

[mashman]

I'm all for punishment with reason. Especially in circumstances where my child directs anger at someone other than me. Christ, my girls, 22 months, 4 and 6 and are very very smart... they know whaT THEY'RE DOING AND UNLESS YOU CAN GIVE THEM A REASON TO LISTEN TO YOU I.E. I'M GONNA SMACK YOUR ARSE OFF THE TOP OF YOUR LEGS, THEN THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO THE REASONING BEHIND IT. (Sorry about the caps and cannae be fooked retyping)

When i was a kid I was smacked by the neighbours, but they always spoke to my mum about it and gave reasons why...

However, would you consider signing a waiver that would give the teachers of your children the "right" to discipline your children should they be doing wrong? I know i would!

[DarkLord]

I remember when I was working in the supermarket a few years ago and my cousin came in and was chatting to me as I was stacking the shelves. This woman was in my aisle and had 2 toddlers in her trolley both screaming at the top of their lungs for no reason whatsoever. This was LOUD, I mean my ears were ringing and all soft little mummy did was say gently "I don't want you screaming" and so of course they just did it louder.

By this point I was having to borderline shout to hear my cousin and eventually I just got to my limit, looked one of the kids dead in the eye and said, quietly but forcefully, "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" My cousin burst out laughing, mummy turned around and looked at me (I was in my full New World uniform) and both kids immediately stopped screaming and she took off. I half expected she would go and complain about me but I never heard a thing.

I can't stand bloody softcock parents like that. Someone needs to teach brats like that a lesson and I'm glad that in this instance it was me.

[avgas]

Make a cold face.
Wave a finger very solidly and Yell at the child
"NO!"
Do it being overbearing and overpowering.

Can't beat them any-more - but can still traumatise them.

[YellowDog]

Used to get the slipper and cane at school.

Sometimes it was a laugh, somethimes it really did hurt.

Tried best to avoid getting it!
(can't think why?))

[mashman]

Tried best to avoid getting it!
(can't think why?))

'cause it wasn't kinky back in the 30's???

[CookMySock]

And we wonder why when they get to school they're already uncontrollable.

The illusion of control is just a fantasy - a very dangerous one.

There is no "control". Perhaps people would like society to have "control" over them? I do not think so. If there was "control" then people could control you. You don't get it only one way - it's either both ways, or no ways.

The sooner people let go of the idea of "control", the better.

Steve

[ManDownUnder]

...the woman then butted in and told me to "stay out of it". (Which I know I should probably have done...

And that is where we disagree. Bloody good on you for speaking up. If no-one does, everyone thinking the same thing feels alone.

You're not - we're not. Speak up! People can disagree... that's their right. Silence is the problem

[mashman]

There is no "control".

Self-Control?

[neels]

We didn't smack our kids a lot, usually all they would get would be a flick across the ear with a finger, and after a while pointing at their ear was usually enough. When we take our kids out people comment on how well behaved they are.

Friends of ours have kids that are horrible whiny selfish brats, their parents put up with it but when my wife gets in their face when the parents aren't looking puts on her angry face and tells them to behave they do as they're told.

I guess they behave the way you let them.