Another parent disciplining your child...WWYD

[Noah's mommy]

We live in a close knit community filled with other teachers we work with at a local international school. We see each other day and night and our kids do too! Today, at the pool, my son and another little girl we're squirting water toys at each other. We (the little girl's dad and I) reminded them a few times to be respectful of each other, not in the face, etc...At one point my son told the little girl her toy was "little" and the little girl (who is 5.5) became very upset and screamed at him "I hate you!". The little girl's dad called my son and his daughter over and told my son to not say that to his daughter because it hurt her feelings and asked him to apologize. I would have reminded my son in a similar fashion so that was fine with me. I did become very upset when he said NOTHING to his daughter about her actions. I didn't know what to do at that moment, but now I'm really upset. I see these people all the time, but we're new, and not especially close. Am I making too much of this? Is it nothing? Should I say something or drop it?

[mama2mygirl]

It would bother me. Twice in the last year I've been in a similiar situation and I regret not saying anything.
I think a lot of parents have a hard time not seeing things from their child's point of view.

[The4OfUs]

The fact that he didn't address his own daughter for shouting that at your son would bother me, for sure. I wouldn't be thrilled with the way he addressed my son (I'm not big on forced apologies), but wouldn't get up in arms in this particular instance. I don't know that there's anything you can do about it now, but maybe if there are any future incidents like that where he fails to recognize his daughter's actions or address her, you could say something to him right then...what to say to him, I dunno.....I'll have to think on that, or maybe someone else will com eup with something.

[MusicianDad]

I would respectfully let him know that you appreciate how he handled your son, but point out for future reference that your son's feelings were also hurt because of what his girl said. Make sure you don't accuse him of favouring his dd or anything. Just a respectful "I appreaciate you handling the situation, but ds gets upset when people shout and him instead of saying they don't like what he said."