If you see someone do something to a child you think is bad, but the parent ignores it, should you?

Question

I realize it would depend on what the thing was... I was at a kid birthday party and my neighbor put tape over someone elses kid's mouth. He was noisy, but it was a party and five year old boys are not known for being quiet. I was horrified, but I think the kid's dad saw and he did not react.

The neighbor who put the tape is known to be aggressive and have a bad temper. His wife is passive aggressive. I asked a question last week about a situation with her (see link below).

We are moving in 9 months, so I just keep telling myself to avoid and ignore them. They live right next to us and our neighborhood does a lot of family stuff as groups, so I cannot completely avoid them. I felt in my heart I wanted to say something about the tape, but since it was not violent and the boy's dad did not react, I thought I should mind my own business. What do you all think?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgdvbUbp1a0WPYyMZz5KyHrsy6IX?qid=20070814222712AArAQ4I

Answer 1

I agree that it is a wonderful attribute to be concerned for children, pat yourself on the back.....but....having been a FF/Paramedic for 18 years, and seeing a lot of things that will amke your hair stand on end, I have learned that MY idea of child abuse/neglect may be FAR DIFFERENT than yours.

Was it nice? Not at all. Did it prove a point? Only that the person who did it is a total moron? Would you saying something to them change them? Most liely not. Was it technically child abuse? It depends on how it was done, and in what context.

You handled it well.

Answer 2

Yes, I think you should've said something to that person at the time. You can't just say something now out of the blue. But what you can do is report suspicious activity to the child protection service. My sister is the same way. She lives in a community where it's a lot of families that have play groups, BBQ's, kids parties and she went to a kid party one time with her kids and her husband. There was one man there would not interact with the adults he was all about the kids. He even took the kids down to the lower level and held one kid, we'll call him jim, and told all the other kids to take turns spanking him. Why would a grown man talk about doing something with a child like that? No one said anything. That is what's wrong with today's society.

Answer 3

I would have made a comment loud enough for the father and the offender to hear while I removed the tape. The child's father should have been ashamed of him self for allowing him to treat his child this way. Where was the Mother?
I'd try to avoid these people at all costs and don't answer the door when they come over and try to dump the kids. They'll get the message that you are home and not answering the door for them or taking their calls. If the wife traps you tell her you don't approve of her husbands behavior and don't want to further expose your children to them.

Answer 4

This child may not know how much that bothered you, but we do, and I think you are WONDERFUL. We need many more people like YOU in this world. I would go ahead and call the child abuse hotline number (1-800-392-3738), and that way it is OFF YOUR conscience. If you do what you can do (which is to call this number) then you have done a mighty thing, and should hold your head HIGH for trying to help a child. WE have to speak up FOR them, you know? Don't be afraid, as you can remain anonymous. And don't tell anyone that you called (tell the person who answers that you must remain anonymous, and it is THE LAW that they cannot reveal your name). BLESS YOU!!!!

Answer 5

the countless new parenting training instruct that if a toddler's undesirable habit isn't hurting every physique else, themselves, or inflicting a probability, to ignore approximately it....it incredibly is referred to as junk habit, whether in the event that they're bothering somebody else i think of the toddler must be faraway from the placement...if in a shop, take them homestead, in the event that they're the place they must be having relaxing...take them homestead...there must be consequences even whether this is "Junk habit" i've got observed too they do no longer see a twist of destiny waiting to ensue, and then while their toddler gets injury they decide to sue somebody!

Answer 6

THIS IS HORRIBLE!!
Although that kid just couldnt shut his mouth off, he didn't deserve that "punishment"! He is only a 5 years old kid for his sake!!

I think you don't have to do anything about it...
This is their son and whatever happened on him, THEY WILL SUFFER!

And after I saw what's in the link, I just wanna say WTF?
That woman is insane and really irresponsible!!
And my advice is: Leave them alone, ignore them, do not help them to take care their son or help them do anything! They don't deserve your help!

Answer 7

Well, number one that is child abuse. I would report it. All kids are noise makers.

Answer 8

no u should report it to child protective services and the police. neve ignore child abuse. it's everyones problem

Answer 9

hmmmmmmmmm

it involves kids

no clue I guess