Dad swearing at kids on school run

[cadburyegg]

Walking to school this morning and heard a dad (at least am assuming the dad) behind me suddenly saying "are you fucking kidding me" a couple of times, turned round and he was shouting at one of his kids. I'd say one was y1 and the other y5, he was aiming it at the older one. it sounded like the older one had pushed the younger. He then went on to say "use your bloody brain, you moron", and "you're such a bully"

Now I am not a perfect parent and have shouted at my kids in the past, I'm not proud of it, but I've never used language or spoken to my kids like that. Is this something that happens a lot? I now feel like I should have said something but was trying to stop my 4yo slipping on the ice. WWYD? Or is it just none of my business?

I don't know what the purpose of my posting is , just feel sad and can't get those kids out of my head.

Wonder where the older kid learnt to bully then? 🤔

What would I do? Judge, give them a wide berth and at the same time make mental note if I overhear anything else. But then I am the sort of person who reported to the office a masked parent at the school gates shouting at people to get out of the way really aggressively (post-covid not mid-covid)

I don't think it's something you really need to intervene in. There'd be no positive outcome for anyone.

Have you ever seen him before?

Have a little word with the school. Telling off should ideally focus on what the problem is and how you would like them to resolve it without name calling. Eg “ we are five minutes late to school and you are delaying us by talking to your brother. Can we go faster please?”

It would make me feel uncomfortable but some families swear in everyday language. He was right to tell a yr5 off for pushing a yr1, but language like that just makes him look crude and ignorant.

Schools, unfortunately, can't do much about a parent swearing at his child. It might not be ideal parenting but not a criminal offence. And that type of person wouldn't react positively to being told how to interact with his own children.

It's not nice, but it happens and not much you can do about it. Your own kids will swear in time and the important thing is that they understand when it's acceptable and when it isn't.