Just witnessed some horrible parenting

[Scion123]

In the local park and a family (looks like the mum’s are sisters with their children). Mum gets on one of those big basket swings with her mum. The aunt starts swinging them, little girl gets very upset, sobbing and shouting ‘Please stop I feel sick’. The mum’s are absolutely creased up with laughter. Poor little girls gets more and more distressed and eventually starts screaming. Aunt is still pushing higher and higher. The girl then goes silent and they gradually bring the swing to a hault. She says ‘I couldn’t breathe’ and is doing those deep sobs. Takes herself off and sits quietly by herself while the mum’s are still cackling like a pair of hyenas.

Stupid bitches.

I've actually got a lump in my throat reading this that poor poor little girl I can't even imagine what her home life is like
I don't know if I would have said anything to them I think it depends on how intimidating they looked but I would have spoken to the child though

nc100 It is absolutely stupid to suggest that confronting doesn’t make a difference. It will make people think twice about how they treat the dc if more people are prepared to confront abusive behaviour.

Nc100 you assumed I was talking about a toddler in my post. I was not. The child in question was at least 5 or 6. If I'd been referring to a toddler or pre-schooler I would have referred to them as such. And it was clear from her age and level of distress that she was not a toddler and this was not a tantrum.

Thing is even if she had been a toddler having a tantrum, I wouldn't have reacted in the rather bullying and intimidating way her family did to me. I'd have shrugged and said yes it's just a tantrum, what can you do? There was a real undercurrent of nastiness in their verbal response and body language to me, and the description of the child as a drama queen.

It'll make them think twice about how they treat them in public maybe. And I said it generally does nothing. They'll just abuse you and then carry on if they are that way inclined to abuse a child.

I actually assumed 4 or 5 for the crying child. And what's wrong with saying someone is a drama queen? Being rude to a stranger in front of a child is the worst thing about that scenario.

But anyway, you know best. With your assumptions about age and hang ups about class

You nothing about my class nc100 so I find that quite amusing.
In all honesty if a child is being abused I would hope I would still have the guts to say something rather than do the cowardly thing and slope off in case I am abused.

I understand OP. I would have found this very upsetting and not been able to say anything either. I saw a women treat her little girl horribly once and I've never forgotten it. At the time I felt completely unable to confront her. That poor girl you saw. It just makes you wonder what else she has to endure.

nc100
Asking a parent to leave a shop or business gives a message that theie behaviour is not acceptable. The more people take some responsibility for letting people know what is & isn't acceptable is about social responsibility.
And yes of course they should also follow it up with a call to the police - as you would if you saw an adult physically abusing another adult. Citizens arrest is one way of dealing with it.
It shouldn't be down to one person it should be everyone's responsibility. That's what I'm saying - what are you talking about when you say 'hierarchy' - you're just splitting hairs & disagreeing for the sake of it.

nc100 you are rude. Why are you being so defensive to other posters??! One wonders....

Isn't it a very British thing to 'not get involved'
How many people I wonder would walk away if there was someone openly abusing another adult?or a dog owner kicking their dog around?
Or would you covertly take a photo or film it & send to the police? Or if its safe would you say something?
The problem is that with children they are defenseless and can't protect themselves. BUT parental responsibility is powerful & unless its absolutely shite & you have babies who are starving or children with obvious bruises etc on the authorities will not do anything. That's why we have so many damaged adults walking around - Because no one pointed out to the parent that there's other ways to parent. It is down to social responsibility & like I've said it has to be all of our role.

I agree Chocolate For a very long time the police and wider community would ignore abuse towards women because it was a private matter. It definitely feels that a lot of posters have exactly the same attitude when abuse is targeted towards children by their parents. I hope things change in this respect too.