What should be done about children that misbehave in public?

Question

Even when their parent(s) or guardian(s) are right there and do nothing to stop it? I was at my doctor's office the other day and there was a man there (late 30's or early 40's) and he had two children with him - a girl about 10 or 11 and a boy about 7 or 8. The girl was fairly quiet, but the boy was running up and down the hallway outside the office and doing headstands in empty chairs. Finally, for no apparent reason, he lit into his sister. This wasn't just playfulness - he was really punching her hard. He finally knocked her down on the floor of the waiting room and started pounding her head against the wall. The "father" just sat there and didn't say or do anything. He had some towel or cloth pressed against his right eye. The other people in the waiting room seemed totally oblivious to what was going on and continued to read their magazines or stare straight ahead. I can't believe this wouldn't have attracted some attention. What can be done about these "wild" kids in public?

Answer 1

either an old school light smack while they're young, or kiss discipline goodbye

Answer 2

The embarrassment their parents feel, you would think, that when they got home all heck broke lose, but then we both know better. Back in the day, when my girls were younger, we didn't have child services a prevalent as they are now, I would have snatched little Johnny up by his collar, we would have gone into the bathroom (ladies room) and I would have tapped that behind. I know so well the episode you are speaking of because I worked in a law office for over 20 years, the little darlings would literally walk the furniture. I was the office manager and had to maintain safety standards at all times, so I would say to the parents, could you please put your child into check, yeah some were offended but then others grabbed little Johnny by his collar and took him to the bathroom. At one point it got so bad until I posted a sign saying "Please leave BeBe's kids with the neighbor when visiting your lawyer". This doesn't happen now a days, but it should. With the current mindset of the younger parents these days, the wild kids in public is going to get worse who do you think those kids are that are in those "gone wild and jack@$$ videos", yup, the same ones that made spectacles of themselves back in the day. God Bless.

Answer 3

You said the father had a towel pressed against his head? Maybe the kid had hit HIM. I've actually seen kids hitting, punching or kicking their parents when not getting their way. "Dad" may be actually be afraid if this apparently hyperactive child, hence no corrective action. He doesn't want to get socked again. However, behavior like that is the responsibility of that child's parents or whoever is acting in a parental capacity and it's they who should be seeking treatments for this kid. You can get in trouble BIG TIME if you step in without authority to discipline someone else's child. Why do you think everyone else was sitting there like statues?

Answer 4

There really isn't anything you can do unless the child hurts you. Then a reprimand to the child cause that will wake the parent up. I have four kids and if they know not to act that way in public. If I see a child acting like that while out nd they come pretty close to me I just give them a hard look and shake my head no.

Answer 5

It's called vocalizing what you think. My mom is a doc and there was this b*tch of a lady in there who didn't schedule a dr's appointment for her children (When you are on Ritalin you are supposed to be checked every so often or you don't get your refills). She figured annoying the nursing staff and those around her would help her get her way. No ma'am, not in my moms office are you getting away with that when I walk in there.

I walk out and as I'm walking out I say...loud enough to hear, "Judas freakin priest, control your damn children or don't breed". I half expected her to come out after me lol. Sure enough, 2 minutes after I leave, she grabs her kids and leaves. Unfortunately, that "it takes a village to raise a child" saying is true and you have to say something or let it continue to get worse.

I never would have sat there watchign that boy doing things of that nature without voicing my concern loud enough for the "father" to hear me. Even if it's not something as cruel as what I said, something along the lines of , "I'm glad that's not my kid" or "does that child have no parent here?"

Answer 6

I can't believe how many people who answered this question said something about giving them a smack for discipline. That's ridiculous. You are being a hypocrite and displaying that hitting and violence is a solution to a problem, even if that's not what you are trying to convey, the child will remember that subconciously until he/she gets older. He/she will think physical force is a means of obtaining a solution. Personally, If I was in that doctor's office, after aboutr 15 minutes of putting up with that crap I would have said something to the little boy along the lines of "My my, you aren't being very nice." And hopefully that will awake the parent to the behaviour, I wouldn't care if the parent would be upset with me either.

Answer 7

First off, if they are not your children, you don't have much say so in how to discipline them. Now that that's out of the way, If they are not bothering you personally, then let it be and leave it up to the parents of the children. If however, the children start misbehaving TOWARDS you, then you can say something. I would say it directly towards the children. It doesn't have to be much because MOST parents would die of embarrassment if someone else has to get on to their children. Usually, the slightest notion that another adult has to get onto their children because the parent is not doing their job will bring them running to get their children and discipline them.

Answer 8

So if I see a grown man beating on a woman it is ok to ignore it? Are you out of your mind???

That dad was probably suffering from whatever brought him to the emergency room to begin with and this could have been a one time occurrence. It is OK to step in and change things. Compromise is the foundation of civilization. That does not mean you give and I take. the guy was in a tough spot and probably would have appreciated the help.

Answer 9

MInd your own business.
It is not your job to discipline other people's children, unless they are in your home, or tearing up something that belongs to you.
In this case, I might have picked the little girl up and sat her down with me, and prevented the boy from damaging her, but not say a word. I coudl get away with it because I am a grandma. You might not.
Whatever you say or do, you are opening yourself up to a lawsuit.
Another thing you might have done is go to the window and tell the nurse to calm them down or you are calling DHS. The NURSEor RECEPTIONIST has the authority to keep order in her office.
Or call DHS yourself. If you are not upset enough to do THAT, then chill.

Answer 10

Unfortunately the society in which we live in scowls at you for disciplining your child. You give the kid a swift smack to the derier and you are a child abuser. I was spanked once as a child, I learned my lesson and I never misbehaved again, ask my Mom. Parent first, friend second.

Answer 11

Why are men such weaklings when it comes to discipling their kids and dont want to be the bad cop?
If I were you I would have talked to the father and said "excuse me you look like you are in pain, but could you please stop your son from being hurtful to your daughter, this really isnt comfortable to watch you know?" and just left it at that no matter what that guy said to me or however improper it was, I wouldnt have been able to sleep at night knowing that someone was getting hurt in front of me and i didnt do anything.