Parents, would you discipline somone else's child?

Question

If another person's child was out of control, would you step in and discipline him? Or look the other way? Some feel it's not their right to intervene, while others believe it is sometimes necessary to reprimand an unruly child. What do you think?

Answer 1

If it's my niece, nephew, or a child of a friend of mine, yes, I would, and I've done so.

If it's some kid at a playarea I've never met before, it depends on what he/she is doing... and I've done so. The parents weren't at all paying attention to a child that was starting to hit my daughter. I went over and told the girl to stop it, it wasn't nice of her to be doing that.

Naturally I would never spank a child I didn't know. However, I have spanked my nieces and nephews if they were doing something very wrong.

Answer 2

well if I am not going to be there then of course I want whoever is in charge to use discipline but they should only discipline enough to get the situation under control. I don't spank so I would never want anyone else to spank my kids. I think the BIG punishments should always come from the parents though. I mean I would not be happy if my parents were babysitting and grounded my child for a week. That is up to me. I've never had an issue with this because my kids are always angels for everyone who watches them. If I had a babysitter or my family watching them I would have them write down what happened and I wll decide the punishment when I get back.

Answer 3

If the parent is not present and I was responsible for the child I most certainly would. However, I would advise to never hit or spank another person's child. If the parent was present, I would feel compelled to offer advise or ask how I could help, both of which I have done in the past. Sometimes this is received well, other times not. But I refuse to stand by and do nothing when a child is obviously out of control or in need of discipline for something serious. My kids had a friend who used to pitch a royal fit when her mother or father would come to pick her up from my house. After a while of watching them wimp out and her scream I would step in. I don't invite that child over anymore.

Answer 4

Two big things I would ask:
1) What would the discipline involve?
2) Where are you, their home, your home, or in public?

If the discipline would be physical, it is never appropriate. If it's verbal, possibly. But then it would depend on the situation. If the person responsible for his care is nearby, leave it to them. If you're in a park, shop etc, and the child is unsupervised, or if the child is at your home, then it's appropriate to say "That is not appropriate behaviour" in whatever way the child understands it.

This situation is MOST tricky when it's at your home, his parents ARE present, and you are forced to say something. It can wreck a relationship with his parents, but you have a right to prevent a visiting child damaging your property, or being unpleasant towards yourself, your family or your pets.

Answer 5

depends on the case if the child is in my home breaking a house rule yes i will call the child on it. if its in public and some random person nope i wont i will mind my business and go on unless and only done it once if the mom looks like shes snapping

i saw it once a couple years ago a lady had a newborn and a four year old. i stopped asked her if she was ok and she said no i asked what i could do to help she said feed the baby a bottle i fed and changed the baby she went to sleep the baby the older kid went potty and the mom just seemed thrilled for the help this was in walmart near the old layway counter which was by the baby center, her husband was army and deployed and the kids needed food and diapers. and it got out of control. the little i did diffused a potentially dangerous situation

Answer 6

If the child's parent is there, aware of the child's behavior and the child is not physically bothering me in any way or about to do something dangerous, then I let it go.

There were kids in the waiting room at the doctor's office like that last night - jumping around, shouting, wrestling with each other. Mom was sitting on the chair beside them, baby in carseat at her feet, just looking tired (it was late & doctor was running late). My own kids were looking at those kids & asking me why they were being so loud & wild. I whispered to them that it wasn't polite to stare & that their mom looked pretty worn out, so she probably just couldn't take it anymore.

If either of those children had done anything to endanger my child or to inconvenience us in any major way, yes, I would have politely asked them to keep their hands to themselves or use quieter voices or anything that I might have said to an adult who was doing the same. And, if I had seen one of the kids doing something dangerous, I would have quietly asked them to stop.

And, if I'm in a situation where there is no parent present & children are misbehaving, I have no qualms about letting the child know that I have noticed their behavior and am not pleased about it. Most unsupervised kids will straighten up when they realize that someone has noticed that they are not handling their unsupervised state in a responsible way.

Answer 7

depends on the relationship to the family. if not known well then no would not discipline the child but if the child is out of control I do redirect them. If a parent says to go to your room and the child doesn't listen then I interject when the child tries to linger and talk to me what did your mother tell you. many times this is all it takes, but I will not physically discipline anothers child, that is their place not mine.

Answer 8

i always tell the parent if the child (with out the parent) is in my house they will be treated the same as my child with respect and discipline. but out in public.. ask the parent to control their child or else or if the parent was not around YES I WOULD SPEAK UP AND TELL THEM TO BEHAVE OR ELSE
in my house if the parent was visiting and the child became out of control.. i would ask the parent to discipline the child or i will 9 times out of 10 the parent will do it. i would expect the same if my child was visiting a friend's house..

Answer 9

If I am responsible for the child (i.e. babysitting), I would have to discipline them for their own safety. I would NEVER, never hit, spank, slap, etc. somebody else's child or use harsh terms with them. I think it's completely acceptable to distract them, reason with them, or resort to time out.

If the parents are present, it's their responsibility to discipline their children and I would not step in unless their kids were hurting other kids.

Answer 10

Only if I am caring for the child when the parents are not there and I have their permission. NEVER discipline someones child without their permission!!!