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I told a man off for hitting his child - was I right to say something?!

19 replies

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 14/06/2024 20:05

We are at center parcs and I saw a man, who I think was the grandad, whack the child's ear because in the mans mind the boy didn't listen to what he said about crossing a road.

The boy screamed out in pain and burst into tears whilst saying "my ear hurts, my ear hurts" and I saw red and raised my voice to the man and said "you don't hit children" he then retaliated by saying he didn't hit him. I said "I watched you, you hit him" And then the woman/granny was having a go at the boy saying 'you don't listen, you don't listen" justifying the man's behaviour!

The crossing was absolutely tiny, there were absolutely zero cars anywhere near and the boy had stood beside them the whole time
To be whacked on the ear was absolutely unnecessary.

We had to walk past them and the man looked at me and said "thanks for that"
I said "you're welcome" and kept walking.

As we headed on, I turned to my husband who looked angry with me for confronting the guy but I said "if that's what he does in public, what does he do behind closed doors?" to which my husband agreed. We didn't talk about it again because our two year started saying "hit his ear!" over and over.

So...I'm right aren't I?? To call out hitting a child?!

OP posts:
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 14/06/2024 20:06

And I saw the boys earlier and it was bright red :(

OP posts:
Beautifulbythebay · 14/06/2024 20:08

It is illegal to hit a dc around the head... And isn't right to hit any anywhere... Maybe speak to the manager? I wonder if the dps know he is being abused?

Snowwhite83 · 14/06/2024 20:09

Hi OP, you were 100% right. It's not easy to speak up!

AgnesX · 14/06/2024 20:09

Absolutely, although I don't imagine it'll change the man's behaviour in the long run unfortunately.

WinterMorn · 14/06/2024 20:10

Yes you are totally right. I would actually go so far as to say that witnessing a child getting struck round the head merits a call to the Police.

StarOf · 14/06/2024 20:12

Well done 👏 OP. The silly old gitt! Hopefully he’ll think twice next time

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 14/06/2024 20:12

I really wondered what the parents would have thought about that or if the parents do it too. Who knows. We've actually just left now, it was our last day so I can't really follow up and I doubt CP would trawl CCTV to figure out who it was.

OP posts:
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 14/06/2024 20:13

StarOf · 14/06/2024 20:12

Well done 👏 OP. The silly old gitt! Hopefully he’ll think twice next time

Hopefully, or at the very least in public
Sad that the woman was enabling it too.

OP posts:
CountFucula · 14/06/2024 20:17

I would escalate that - genuinely. I would inform the management of centre parks and say you are telling the police. Then I would email the police with a description.
It might not come to anything but the hit and the enabling is absolutely wrong and should be dealt with.
I have done similar and confronted a man at the soft play - he was screaming abuse at his toddler. He screamed at me and no one absolutely no one gave me any support including the management. I should have reported him. He was unhinged and the mother just stood and watched.
(edit for typos)

BunnyLake · 31/01/2025 15:24

I agree with you OP. Glad you called him out on it.

Miley1967 · 31/01/2025 15:28

I agree you did the right thing op. the last time I did this though I got chased down the street by the mother and she threatened me in front of my kids. I reported to the school.

Whoarethoseguys · 31/01/2025 15:35

Do the parents know the grandparents are behaving that way?
We wouldn't dream of hitting our grandchildren and I know if we did our DD wouldn't let us near them again.
Yes you were right to say something.

Usedphone · 31/01/2025 15:56

I mean my father hit me in exactly the same ways either in public or private. ..

He's now in jail (for a separate offence).

LoveSandbanks · 31/01/2025 16:14

I would have been incandescent with rage and would have confronted him too. I agree with others to escalate.

woodymumoftwo · 31/01/2025 16:32

Good for you. I would have done the same questioning what he got out of hitting the child especially around the head. X

zeddybrek · 31/01/2025 16:38

You did the right think OP. I wish more people would call out this type of awful behaviour. That poor child, well done you for giving him a voice. Totally agree with your point around what goes on behind closed doors if that's acceptable to them in public. The ear is so delicate as well.

WingBingo · 31/01/2025 16:40

How did this thread end up being resurrected?

Cornettoninja · 31/01/2025 16:42

Good for you OP. It would have been ideal to follow it up but it was really important for that child to hear how it looks to strangers and that it’s not his behaviour that’s atrocious. You’ve armed him with the knowledge that he should tell people he knows are there to protect him (teachers etc). because this is something he should be protected from.

Cornettoninja · 31/01/2025 16:43

WingBingo · 31/01/2025 16:40

How did this thread end up being resurrected?

Didn’t even notice the date! 🤦‍♀️

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