To think pinatas at children's parties are just an invitation to violence?

[PuffPants]

Went to a party yesterday. They had a pinata swinging from a tree. The boys queued up to bash the thing with a big stick. It was a full on display of testosterone and agression (not just from the children tbh) and I was a bit shocked by it. The birthday boy and most of his friends were 4. Some of the younger children were really upset by it - couldn't understand why they were beating the living daylights out of the pretty horse in the tree.

And then the mother complains that starting nursery has made her DS badly behaved and fighty

AIBU?

You just have to be careful where exactly you place them, see here www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jshq2mh58U

We have had piñatas at a couple of dd's parties - never shop-bought but lovingly hand-made by our dear Mexican friend. The first year, dd did burst into tears because she didn't want anyone to hit the horse. However, her compassion quickly evaporated when it was explained about the sweets.

I think it's a nice tradition, they've always gone down well at our parties.

friend's DS had to go to A&E after being bashed in the face by his sister when she was trying to smash a pinata. Silly game if you ask me.

No, silly adults for failing to supervise properly. Obviously, if you're going to have them, you need to do it safely.