what would you have done?

[Othersideofthechannel]

We went on a walk the other day with some other parents and their children. Their 3.6 yr old threw a stone at DD's chest. It didn't hurt her. She didn't cry, was just very surprised.

The mother asked for an apology and as it was not forthcoming said the culprit couldn't have any of the communal snack which I had brought, had in my bag and we were planning to eat at an appointed place on the walk, about 5 minutes on. The child was stubborn and ended up having a tantrum about it.

I felt it was totally out of proportion as a reaction but I was the one with the snack in my bag.

I think it was right, the child should have said sorry

depends if it was accidental or intentially aimed at your dd, if intentional I would have done similar or taken home.

If I was 100% certain my 3.6 year old had thrown a stone at someone and they had refused to apologise then I would quite possibly make them go without the snack.

If it was careless lob of the stone that accidently hit then I agree it's a bit OTT.

Mind you my dd who is 3.5 is going through a real boundary pushing stage at the moment and is feeling the consequences of her actions. Driving me insane!

The child needs to learn not to throw stones.
Sorry, I agree with the other mum.
Wouldnt be out of proportion if it hit your DD in the eye and blinded her. (Extreme, I know, but it does happen)

The message has to be firm and uncompromising-you don't throw stones.

hmm yah I probably agree with the other mum too

Not apologising is annoying and throwing stones is v. bad

Yep I would have done something similar - tho tended not to use food as a reward etc so we probably would have gone straight home if the apology wasnt forthcoming.

I agree but would wonder about food being used as a punishment.

Plus, once she'd said it, she was stuck with it, wasn't she - she had to follow through.

I don't know if it was accidental or deliberate. Probably accidental, our older children were picking up stones further up the path, examining them and then dropping them if they didn't meet the criteria for their 'collection'.

I am uncomfortable passively supporting depriving of food as a punishment. I didn't give her any of the snack, handed some out to all the others and then let her mother have the rest to do what she saw fit. Seems this is what you would all have expected.

I agree with other mum - I'd take a hard line on stone throwing.