A random child hit my child at the mall - that isn't normal, right? - Page 3

[Veronika01]

The same thing happened to us in a hardware store. A family walked by us with their kids in a trolley and their son leaned over in passing and slapped my 18 month old in the face. He was about a year older. His parents saw what he did, looked me straight in the face and walked past without saying a word to him or us. I was more shocked at their (lack of) response than the sudden "attack". A quick "I'm so sorry! Is she ok??" would have gone a long way. Just some acknowledgment that what happened was not OK, KWIM?

[Hoopin' Mama]

I don't cut people slack who don't appear to care if their child bruises another child's face.

OP - I'm so sorry your dc experienced that.

[LavenderMae]

It was the mom's behaviour that was not normal and even giving her some slack she could still have at least said she was sorry.

[lach]

Originally Posted by hhurd

Cut her some slack because you don't know anything about her. Cut her some slack because everybody needs to be cut some slack every once in a while. Cut her some slack because the OP is never going to see her again, and it won't hurt her in the least bit to do so.

For all we know she started a thread on MDC that said "I was THAT mom in that Mall today." If she had, she get tons of responses gently suggesting she give herself and break and try to do better tomorrow.

Again, her response was less than ideal and it's unfortunate that the OP's child was hurt and scared. And I understand it's more satisfying (and easier) to be indignant and shocked at her behavior and less satisfying (and far more difficult) to strive for patience and forgiveness.

Everyone has their share of cruddy parenting, but this goes above and beyond that. There is NO excuse for what she said to OP. That's not "I had a bad day and so I'm only sort of paying attention to my kid and I can't really deal with what he did wrong." That's "My entire philosophy about discipline is nonexistent."

This is the sort of anecdote that you'd read in an article written by a whiney 20-something about how entitled parents are today. And then you'd roll your eyes and say "yeah right, like THAT would happen." It's extreme and bizarre and stranger than fiction.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by lach

Everyone has their share of cruddy parenting, but this goes above and beyond that. There is NO excuse for what she said to OP. That's not "I had a bad day and so I'm only sort of paying attention to my kid and I can't really deal with what he did wrong." That's "My entire philosophy about discipline is nonexistent."

This is the sort of anecdote that you'd read in an article written by a whiney 20-something about how entitled parents are today. And then you'd roll your eyes and say "yeah right, like THAT would happen." It's extreme and bizarre and stranger than fiction.

Right, thanks . If I had seen the whole scenario from a distance, I might have wondered where the hidden cameras were.

[mrspineau]

PFFT!!! I think you are totally right in your reaction. If my son did that, I would have made sure that your child was okay, first of all, and then I would have told him that its not acceptable to hit anyone, then I would have had him apologize and if he didn't quickly, I would apologize for him so that I wouldn't be holding you up standing there waiting for the apology, then after you left I would still make him apologize about the situation. That lady sounds nuts to me.

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by hhurd

Cut her some slack because you don't know anything about her. Cut her some slack because everybody needs to be cut some slack every once in a while. Cut her some slack because the OP is never going to see her again, and it won't hurt her in the least bit to do so.

For all we know she started a thread on MDC that said "I was THAT mom in that Mall today." If she had, she get tons of responses gently suggesting she give herself and break and try to do better tomorrow.

Again, her response was less than ideal and it's unfortunate that the OP's child was hurt and scared. And I understand it's more satisfying (and easier) to be indignant and shocked at her behavior and less satisfying (and far more difficult) to strive for patience and forgiveness.

You cut a person some slack for pushing you in the mall without saying excuse me or for making a snide comment. A parent who thinks it's okay for their child to slap another child doesn't need to be cut slack. She needs a lesson in manners and basic common respect. The child may have been too young to apologize but his mother could have told OP, "I'm sorry he slapped your DC. For him it's playing. I'm sorry your DC is hurt." Anything other than what came out of her mouth.