5 year old (very naughty) boy was smacked by another parent at a party...WWYD?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I was at a party at the weekend and there was a boy there, age 5, who was whacking everyone with an inflatable sword. I mean absolutely WHACKING the other kids, many smaller than him and also girls. He was making many of them cry because of his behaviour. This boy is in my sons class at school and he is constantly in trouble, I've seen him push kids over in the playground, throw stones at people etc.

His mum or dad weren't at the party, the mum dropped him off and left. The parent of the birthday boy finally had enough of the boys behaviour and after he whacked yet another person in the face and made them cry, he went over and smacked him on the bottom. Me and another women saw it and we just looked at each other and pretended we hadn't seen it. It wasn't a hard smack and TBH I don't think the parent was particularly out of order given what the boy was doing. Although I wouldn't have smacked him but would have had some very stern words instead. The boy didn't seem too bothered about the smack.

I think the wee boy needs far more discipline given his behaviour but I was also a bit to see another parent (who didn't know him) smack him at the party.

WWYD in such a situation?

And of course the parent was completely out of order!! (Is this a reverse AIBU?)

This is the plot of "The Slap"... Doesn't anyone else think so?

Yes, I've seen The Slap and that's the first thing I thought of! Though it wasn't a slap, it was a light tap on the bum, but still.

Totally unacceptable behaviour by the party parent IMO, even if it was a light tap on the bum. I have smacked my DS a couple of times in uncontrollable anger when I've totally lost it and deeply regretted it the very next second, so I can understand that kind of anger that leads to a smack, but I couldn't get that angry in this kind of situation when it's not my child and there are other parents to also help out. He could have dealt with it so many other ways.
I would be very shocked if somebody smacked by DCs like that.

its just pointless to teach a child that its bad to smack by smacking them! that just doesnt make sense. adults only smack kids cos they have lost control of the situation and I makes them feel better. so I'd have been really annoyed to see that happen. they have no right. I'd have taken the sword away the first time he hit someone. also, I don't see this as him being on any spectrum. some kids are naughty and need parenting and that's alls there is to it.

Oh five year old boys and swords??
I used to hide anything remotely sword like before visits from other children let alone parties.

My son is extremely "boisterous", he's awaiting a statement and tbh I would Never in a million years allow him to be left unattended . I can imagine the fall out . This said I would be livid if someone raised a finger to him. In places and times like these children do run riot but all is needed is a bit of down time away from all the chaos and the child would be fine I'm sure. With a phone call to suggest parents coming to watch him.

I wouldnt like to be that parent when Mum or Dad of the boy find out ....