False accusation

[Eighttimeseight]

I was at a family party. There was a bouncy castle and a lot of kids were on it.

Most of the parents were not watching their kids - I found I had to give out to some of the bigger kids a lot as they were rough, etc. Said it to parents but was falling on deaf ears.

My kids are young. I supervised constantly.

One child - age 12 - climbed on top of the bouncy castle and was jumping on it. I did shout at him to get off. Told his mother I had shouted at him and why.

This child then said I had hit him. I was so shocked! His mother actually believed him!

I immediately asked him why he was saying it and he continued the lie - said he was going to tell everyone that I had hit him. And the other older kids were saying that it happened too. I can't believe it!

I left furious and upset. When I got home I texted my sister in law to say I was sorry about leaving abruptly but that I was shocked. She texted back to say she was upset too as the incident had put a dampener on the day. My husband says to forget about the whole thing. He doesn't think I'll get any sort of apology and there's no point dwelling on it. But I feel like I never want to see any of them again!

Was he on the top of the bouncy castle when you were supposed to have hit him? Did you touch him at all to get him down?

It’s horrible to be accused of something like that- especially when you were concerned about safety. I’d write everything down, exactly as it played out and, if there were any witnesses to the exchange (child or adult), write their names also. Date it and get a counter signature. Not being alarmist, it’s just to cover yourself.

Definitely agree with shockers to document what happened, just in case they do something silly like go to the police.

That said, even if they do, the kid is lying so their story will probably be full of holes and not be a problem for you.

What a horrible thing to happen though

He was on top of castle but it was dipping on one side because of his weight - I stood there telling him to get off. So we were at the side with no witnesses.

They won't go to police. But this is my husbands family and i think it will put a massive strain on relationships.

Where did he say you hit him?
Did he have any fresh marks on his face or arms etc that he showed to others, claiming it was you do you know?

His mother said he had a red mark on his arm - I didn't see it.

I can't stop going over it all in my head today.

How can I possibly relax at future family get togethers?! I feel really judged... and I was the only bloody one even trying to supervise them.

I'd happily never see any of them again but my kids like seeing their cousins.

Lesson learned, don’t bother supervising other people’s chidlren. Leave them to their parents. If your child is playing and other children are being rough then you go and pester their parents until they deal with them. Don’t even speak to the child.