Poll: OPC (Other People's Children)

[rickvs]

I have a question, and will probably be detailing the reasons for asking at a future date.

Under what circumstances do you think it is acceptable to put your hands on someone else's misbehaving child in public?

Comments

[fair-witness.livejournal.com]

First thought that comes to mind is, "When grabbing the brat is the only way to keep the brat from dying."

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Well, "put your hands on..." has a lot of different possible meanings. Taking a child's hands, or placing your hands on the child's body (e.g.: one on each shoulder to point the child's head towards you) to focus attention, is generally reasonable. Anything more than hand-holding or the equivalent should probably be reserved for dangerous situation.

[bkwrrm-tx.livejournal.com]

I think getting their attention (a hand on the shoulder) is one thing, but anything else will be unacceptable unless the child is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else.

This sounds like a bad thing, either way.

[sailorjim.livejournal.com]

Well, according to pediobear ...

[trinker.livejournal.com]

Define "misbehaving", first.

If the child is wielding something so as to cause property damage, gently taking the implement of destruction away from the child might be the best option, if a parent/caretaker isn't immediately at hand. (I try to be immediately at hand, but with two kids, it's not always been the case.)

Is the child verbal?

My general order is, look for the caretaker, speak to the child, intervene if necessary. Unless there's danger/destruction involved.

But I'm also inclined to encourage freerange kids, so I'm not big on the "ZOMG, no, you'll hurt yourself, just sit quietly and do nothing!" thing.

I remember getting shouted at

[andreas_schaefer]

because I stopped one brat from grabbing my man-purse from my shopping trolley.
I moved my trolley away and did not touch the sprog but it stated to cry : and I was blamed.

I think next time I'll gift it with matches.