Would you ever tell off someone else’s child?

I also would have no issue with someone else telling my child off (as long as they were kind/respectful). One of the children I’d “told
off” (I asked them to please stop bouncing the bridge my 2yo was trying to cross) went crying to his mum and I heard her back me up.

Yes and no! I will happily tell off any of the kids from our street if I catch them doing something dangerous or stupid etc. I also let their parents know I've spoken to them for the downright dangerous stuff.

I've only ever once told off a complete stranger - a little girl was running full tilt towards the children's swimming pool. She was probably about 2.5-3 and the pool is 1m20. Her mum was trying to run after as fast as she could but was never going to make it in time, so I grabbed her and told her off for not waiting for her mum!

I've told kids of sternly many times when my DD was young. I've never had a parent have a go at me about it, because its generally kids whose parents couldn't care less what they're doing that are the issue

Yes but reasonably gently with an awareness that there are a number of reasons why the child may not function as I expect:

• may have a disability
• may, like my own son, be huge for there age. My son at 2, was cognitively 2, but the size of a 4 year old!

Definitely and have done in the past

Yes, of course.

Yes I have a few times. Normally after I’ve directed my child away from the kid and then the kid is following my child around bullying him at the park (he’s non verbal so it happens quite often as he’s an easy target). And once when a much older kid pushed him off tall play equipment. I’m not going to let my child be bullied/injured just because some parent can’t be bothered to supervise their child properly.

Probably wouldn't with the waving stick, but with the snatching yes.

If it's negatively affecting your child and the parents aren't doing anything then it's fair to say something. You can be direct without being nasty.

Yes I did this recently, one child being absolutely feral at the playground. He came near my dd and I went up to him , and hissed ‘get away from here’ and he was so shocked he ran away and didn’t come back. I loathe naughty children.

Yes I would, but you tend to get the mother marching over and having a go at you for daring to tell their little darling off.

Yes I told off two boys who were at least 8 years old and came into the under threes section at soft play. I’m not too bothered about older children coming in if they’re sensible but these two were running around and jumping off equipment. One of them knocked over my two year old and made him cry so I told them they were far too big to be in there and needed to leave. They did leave but their mum encouraged them back in a few minutes later, half heartedly warned them to be careful of the smaller children and then disappeared to get a coffee on the other side of the building while her children were running around and jumping next to toddlers. This soft play has a massive area for older children so I don’t understand why so many of them feel the need to be in the toddler and baby sections anyway. It drives me mad.

Yes of course.

Would I intervene verbally? Definitely.

Would I intervene physically with another person's child? In line with the law, I would only physically intervene if there was risk of serious harm to the child, other children, or a crime was being committed (otherwise it can technically be classed as assault, just s it would if you grabbed an adult). Most likely I'd just move my DC away from the child.

Ugh, I hate this and I call it out too, usually met with a response of ‘they’d fly away if they weren’t enjoying it’ 😡

Yes, absolutely. But reasonably nicely at first, and if that doesn’t work, not so nicely, with what dds used to call my ‘scary eyes’ face. ‘Do your scary eyes face, Mum!’ they would say, then squeal and hide behind the sofa cushions!

If necessary I would, but I’m not sure your examples are good ones. Whacking play equipment with a branch could just be that child's idea of a game, unless it was done to be deliberately intimidating or was threatening the safety of the other children. Trying to take something off your child is obviously wrong and could merit your interference, but it’s unclear whether your child managed on their own to keep the item - it’s far preferable for children to sort things out fairly themselves if possible.

Obviously it’s different if there is any danger or real bullying involved.

Yes and I have, told off a little boy who was chasing water fowl in a park. His mother didn’t appear to care.

Yes and I am perfectly if someone had to tell my own child off if they ever have needed too

Yes I would (and have) in a respectful way.

Yes absolutely there’s no need to be unkind or aggressive but absolutely if somebody’s affecting your life with their behaviour doesn’t matter how old they are they can be told

Yes
Yesterday
Young child riding bike in road
I sounded car horn several times
Child laughed & continued to ride on other side of road
Sounded horn again

The next person may not be so patient & cause an accident

Should have been on the pavement

Did so once when a child was throwing stones at mine

and only then did fhe parents notice with a who the hell do you think you are

i was very calm in the circs

Yes, if their parents aren’t doing it. Told off a kid in sandpit the other day for chucking sand around everywhere as it got in my son’s eyes. Parent just smiling benignly. Said ‘please stop doing it it’s not nice to get sand in other children’s eyes, is it?’ Child stopped but parent was very affronted, and said ‘well it’s a sandpit what do you expect?’ 🙄🙄

I nanny so I am frequently telling other kids off for crashing around the baby areas in soft play or not being mindful of smaller children. 90% not malicious but they just forget themselves, parents nowhere to be seen. Told child off for repeatedly kicking back of my seat on train too, my three year old knows that’s not acceptable but of course her answer was ‘he’s not even four what do you expect?’

If you’re not going to adequately parent your child, fair play to expect someone else to intervene in my opinion.

Absolutely I would. Obviously I wouldn't go ott but I always used to intervene if a kid was doing something they shouldn't with no parent in sight.

I had no problem with other adults doing the same with my kids either.