To think any parent would do the same? Or am I bonkers

[Doritosandsourcream]

On holiday in the buffet eating dinner all I could hear was my son crying walking from the bar with his juice in his hand. I thought oh maybe he fell over so DH went over to him. Turns out that this little girl that has been picking on him for the past 2 days her dad has grabbed DS and twisted arm so tight he broke his skin and dug his nails into him. (German family)

DS has been coming to me about her saying she keeps pushing him and sticking her fingers up since they arrived. DS finally got annoyed and pushed her back earlier on in the day and she told her dad. So dad got his own back on DS.

I ran over to DH as he was shouting at the dad and the dad was just smirking and something just came over me and I punched him in the face.

Never in my life have I punched anyone and I didn’t think about the consequences at the time I just kept looking at my son he was in flood of tears.

It was the weirdest feeling I have never felt adrenaline like it.

aibu? How would you have handled it? The hotel did absolutely nothing.

I’d have told him exactly what I thought of him !

It wasn't the wisest thing to do, but you know that.
If I'm very honest, I might well have done the same as you. It is a grown adult piercing your little boy's skin and I would have acted with my emotions too.
Ps. I'm a non violent person also.

Absolutely the right thing. A grown man assaulted your young child. He broke skin and left marks. I’d be filing an assault charge on him, and happily accepting an assault charge for punching him myself.

I think it's great but I'm probably one of the 'bonkers" parents.

Good for you, he had it coming!

I’m glad you punched him. I hope it hurt him.

You did good. I would have done the same.
If you don't defend yours, who will?

I wanna see that girl or that fat *ss dad mess up with other kids again

I get the anger, I do, but this is probably how 'German mans' mother bought him up...The only time I agree with violence is when you have absolutely no othr alternative an you're cornered. You had the huge upper hand, now you're simply showing your boy that when something makes you angry, you hurt them. Just like the dad did to your boy.

Telling him to retaliate was a mistake. You should have intervened then.

You've taught your son that violence is OK and you've taught him that you won't protect him when he reports abuse to you.

You're sucking at parenting pretty badly here.

lol at somebody suggesting calling the police. Like they would give a shit.

Well done op.

Having literally just done it yourself?!

I'd have done the same hon, and after punching him I'd have ripped his fucking throat out for touching my child 🤷‍♀️

I love this bloody holier than thou on MN! If you see red regarding your child yes, you sometimes find you act without thinking as ant psychologist will tell you. Sounds like a total prick who finally got what was coming to him! I doubt he will contact the pokice…..bullies who are men dont like to admit a woman smacked them. Good for you! Seems like you also have a higher number supporting you than not supporting you!

This man assaulted a 6-year-old child, your child, and you feel bad for punching him? I give you a medal.

Oh pleazzzz all these peoples saying your wrong blah blah blah a GROWN MAN has broken your childs skin by twisting their arm….momma if it was me we’d be locked up abroad together!
don’t feel any way about it. He was bang out of order! Keep it cute n classy enjoy your holiday and just remind your son of why it was ok for you to punch the man.

Well done - your poor DS.
Obvs violence is not the answer but that little girl learnt from her DF.
glad you didn’t get into bother though x

….just to add. If the mom wanted some too she could get it too just for raising such a knob of a child.

You say you have told your son that he should not put his hands on other people but you also claim you told him to push back if the little girl pushed him again. So which is it?

1. Child A pushes child B.
2. Child B pushes child A.
3. Parent A grabs child B's arm.
4. Parent B punches parent A.
5. ......God knows.....

Tbh yes, in the calm world, violence isn't ever the answer. However, having been in a similar position myself, throwing hands is an instinctual reaction and wasn't something I ever could have seen myself doing.
This person hurt your child and you acted on instinct.
It's all well and good to have people judge you and tell you what you "should" have done. But, I'm sure you would never have seen yourself doing this either! Your son was hurt, a grown adult hurt him. Your brain wasn't in control at that time, at least not the rational part of your brain.
You now have two choices, wait to see if they report you to the police or try to retaliate in some way, or, take the high ground and apologise but emphasise why you did what you did. Also, ensure DS knows that what this adult did to him, and your following actions, were not acceptable and how he should behave if anything like this happens again.
Hugs to you and DS xx

Good for you! :-)

that little girl learnt from her DF

And guess what the OP's son will learn from her?

assuming this is all true, which it absolutely must be as MNHQ hasn't deleted it, so it clearly isn't a troll post designed to get a load of thugs to air their unpleasant personalities on the internet

I’d have punched him. Sometimes it’s all you’ve got.

100% agree with this.

So mama bear came out to defend your son. Not the best way, but it was spur of the moment and he needed protecting. It also means you can't really report to the police.
I would contact your holiday company and explain, so they can escalate it to the hotel and get them removed.
Sorry your son went through this. Hope the other families are willing to back you up again should anything come of this. Hope your son is okay too.

OP
someone hurt your baby and so you hurt them. I make you 100% right
you showed your boy that you have his back and good for you
I would have (and have) done exactly the same! 👏