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Parenting

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Concerned about friend’s H yelling at her 3 year old

5 replies

purplejeanie · 17/04/2026 20:40

My friend’s H seems quite nasty. He is according to her a Jekyl and Hyde character and seems very critical and angry much of the time. She has told me several times now that he regularly screams at their three year old, reducing him to tears. She said that he expresses similar behaviour to the child as she does to her, so will play with him for an hour, but then suddenly turn on him and scream. I think this is abusive and clearly very damaging. Today I suggested she think about leaving and expressed how abnormal it is to regularly scream at a child and that it would be considered abusive. She looked very uncomfortable and immediately changed the subject. Has anyone got any ideas about what I do next ? He earns a great deal more money than her, so she’s possibly staying because she’s worried about the financial consequences, but doesn’t seem to understand the damage this will be doing to her child. I don’t think SS involvement will help, because presumably they’d both deny any problems .

OP posts:
TheDellsYoursongNsoul · 17/04/2026 20:45

It is abusive ,wonder how long it crosses over from shouting to hitting.

Dimms · 17/04/2026 20:50

He’s abusing his child and your friend is enabling it

purplejeanie · 18/04/2026 09:26

I wanted advice about what to do next. Anyone ?

OP posts:
TheDellsYoursongNsoul · 18/04/2026 10:06

Is there any children's charities you could contact for advice and how to navigate .
In the past I reported a neighbour to social services because of neglect and the junkie boyfriend screaming at the child and also her witnessing the arguments the worst one being a late night one outside and the five year old was out there with them gone midnight police had to attend.

The child was put in care of relatives.

bigboykitty · 18/04/2026 10:10

You could contact the NSPCC helpline for advice. Is the child in nursery or any other childcare? If so you could speak to them about your safeguarding concerns. You could also write anonymously to the child's GP so they are aware. They may instigate input from the Health Visitor. It sounds like Early Help could be appropriate, but as you say, the parents are unlikely to access this.

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