My 7-Year-Old Son Kicked an Old Lady??

Question

It was crowded inside a grocery store, and my son kicked an old woman in a walker and said: "MOVE IT, you old hag!!"

I scolded him inside the store and told him to apologize to the woman.

What would you have done, and what should I do if he does this again?

Answer 1

Oh my goodness. No offense, but where did he learn that kind of attitude?? (Husband yelling something similar in traffic? Or seeing disrespect on TV?) Try to address the root of where that attitude is coming from.

Your son is old enough to reason, so you can encourage him to think fondly of older people; they are to be regarded as he would his own grandparents.

Maybe have him help you volunteer doing something nice for someone who is elderly.

Answer 2

Spanking him is not the answer. Hopefully no one said this already but I had to say it right away, without reading all of the answers. Clearly he is too violent to begin with, and spanking him only strengthens violent tendencies. If you spank him but say to him "don't hurt others," what kind of message are you sending? I am not saying you are, but you and your spouse must not be physical in your punishment, because he is already learning this behavior. Violence is largely a learned behavior. Now your son must unlearn it.
I would have been shocked and mortified if I were you, but probably would have done the same thing. I also liked the idea someone mentioned about having him help the woman with her groceries. Once we got to the car, I would demand to know where he learned such behavior and/or got the idea that it was acceptable.
If he keeps being so violent, I would recommend either having him talk to a psychologist. You could also have a meeting with his teacher, and ask if he/she has noticed anything out of the ordinary. Schools have psychologists too, and could be just as helpful as paying for an appointment with a psychologist.

Answer 3

I would've been surprised the lady didn't kick him back! I would apologize to the woman and assure her that he was going to be taken care of quite well... I would be too angry to react immediately. I would have to wait until we got home to take action. I wouldn't normally spank a child, but I definitely would in this case. He is old enough to know better. I wouldn't ONLY spank him though... he would have no privileges for quite some time. I'd feel lucky if the woman didn't press charges, which she very well could have if she wanted (imagine if he broke something... you'd really be paying)!

Answer 4

I'd have grounded him for 2 months and then I would make him volunteer at a retirement/nursing home, visiting with the elderly there and hour or two every Saturday and/or Sunday playing games and such.He needs to learn to respect his elders and that kicking ANYONE, specially the elderly is wrong and unacceptable.

I would have also made him apologize in person and help that lady with her groceries and then I would get her address and make him write a written apology to her as well.

Answer 5

is this a public college? Is it suspension or expulsion? the college could have pronounced this with you many situations, written you letters, etc. that's extremely, very unusual. it would purely approximately continually be some style of considerable incident or incidents regarding attack, wearing a weapon, etc. you will have been notified many situations and met for conferences. there's a technique faculties could stick to. call the crucial and ask in case you don't be attentive to. I definitely have the sensation that there is plenty greater to this that we don't be attentive to. attempt to be proactive and verify with each and every person. Are you purely asking related to the legality of this in view which you're thinking approximately submitting a lawsuit? that's plenty greater in contact, and it concerns your son's destiny. in case you don't be attentive to, locate some solutions. you will no longer be attentive to no rely if it quite is against the regulation till you be attentive to the rationalization.

Answer 6

Have a good talk with him, and tell him that is bad manners. Also tell him this: Wait till you get to be that Old Lady's age, and you have to use a walker to help you walk. Hopefully he will think twice and not do it ever again.

Answer 7

Ground him!!! I would also talk to him and explain why his actions were inappropriate, and also try to find out WHERE he learned that from and WHY he thinks that this was an acceptable way to get someone out of his way.

You did the right thing by immediately correcting him and making him apologize.

I would have made my daughter apologize, and also would have grounded her for a few days as well as what I mentioned in the first sentence. I would try to find out why he did this so you can prevent it from happening again.

Answer 8

Honestly, I would have spanked his butt. Made an example out of him with the older woman. By making him responsible for his actions, you are teaching him right from wrong.

Take away his television for 2 weeks and his computer for 1.
No Nintendo/Xbox etc for at least 1 week.

Also, don't give him a punishment you can't follow through on. He will just learn that you are a pushover.

Answer 9

I would have taken him to the car and blistered his bottom. I would then explain that he knew this was unacceptable behavior and he did it anyway. He would get himself in gear and go and apologize to the lady in the store.

Where did he pick up this kind of language? This kind of physical behavior? My guess is TV. Take a look at where he's learning this stuff and cut off the source.

TX Mom

Answer 10

I would have gave him a good spanking and make him apologize, and tell him until he can show some decent respect he is going to be home. No friends, no tv, no music, no Nintendo, no nothing. Wake up, school (accompany him to class), pick him up, he goes to his room, eats supper, goes to bedroom again. Extras in life are a priviledge and so if he doesn't act decent, he doesn't get any of them.