Wednesday, September 2, 2009

stranger danger

there's an article on ajc.com today about a 61yo man slapping another woman's (a stranger's) child in a local Wal-Mart. he went up to the lady with the crying 2yo and said, "If you don't shut that baby up, I'll shut her up for you."
and then a few minutes later, that's what he did. he picked her up and slapped her across the face 4 or 5 times. (you can read the article here)**

i shared this info with my friend and we started talking about -first of all---- SERIOUSLY?? O-M-G. but then, would you discipline another's kid?

i would have no problem with someone disciplining thelittlebean. if she needs disciplining. if she's getting into something or bothering your kid and i'm not around (really? when am i not around??) i'd have no problem with your telling her to cut it out. or solving the problem by taking away whatever's the cause.

i wouldn't expect anyone to cross the taboo line of spanking with another child. since that's such a hot-button issue anyway, it's likely you have a differing opinion than that of your friend.

i know when i taught for 7 years, i had no problem disciplining other students. if you are running in the hall, it's still not OK even if your teacher's not around. or if i see that you're starting to tell my 1st grade student that there's not a santa claus- you bet i'll say something to you about that... you just can't go 'round ruining kids' lives and dreams!!

i can't believe that man in the article, though. i mean- it's kinda sad to think he's so wound up right now that he couldn't stop himself before he crossed such a line. nobody likes to hear the babies cry in Wal-Mart (or wherever).... least of all that mom! but WOW. to haul off and smack a kid. in front of the mom. instead of just leaving the store? or rolling your eyes? or even mumbling loudly under your breath.

in a time where you can get in trouble for publicly spanking your own kid, he really risked a lot to make such a statement.

i'm sure many out there would say we don't have the right to 'parent' a kid who's acting up. and then there are those out there who say "it takes a village..."
what do YOU think?

**if you clicked on the article, then you saw the picture of Mr. Scowly-McScowlerson. it's hard not to wonder if this is the first time he's done something like this.


5 comments:

Funky Boss said...

At least the guy gave the mother fair warning.

I got slapt on the ears in church when I was a kid by an old man sitting behind me because I kept clicking the hat holder in the pew. This guy just ambushed me with no warning.

I mean come on - what is an 8 year old supposed to do when you put something that can echo throughout the church in front of him? Expect him not to touch it?

Leanne said...

Wow. He must have really lost it. I think just being in WalMart might push lots of people over the edge but this is really unbelievable, but the world is a strange place....

Pregnantly Plump said...

I can't even imagine something like that happening. Wow. In reading it, I was surprised that he was able to grab the child and slap her 4-5 times. Pretty sure I would up in the middle getting myself slapped in an attempt to stop someone from hurting Little Elvis (even in my very slowed and awkward state.)
As for others getting onto Little Elvis, that's fine with me. They can put him in time out as well. I know I would never feel comfortable spanking someone else's child, and I can't imagine someone else being ok with it either.

OHmommy said...

Yet another reason why I wont shop at Walmart, LOL.

Tom said...

I saw that guy's picture, yeah... wasn't surprising. Dude has his crazy on, that's for sure.