Image: Shutterstock
It’s natural for children to get into arguments and disagreements with their classmates, but those situations become dire when it ends in a child hitting your kid. It isn’t a laughing matter, and you lose your cool. Especially when you notice that the kid’s parents are around and say nothing and do nothing to stop it. When you witness something like that, it’s hard not to react. It’s hard to watch your kid be hit by another kid and do nothing. It’s a dicey situation because the other kid is also the same age as your child, and you know they don’t know better. While that’s true, it stings to see that they hit your kid, and their parents don’t do anything to correct their behavior. So my question is, what can you do?
My daughter is just 4-years-old. She learns ballet on the weekends with other children her age. During one of her classes, I saw another girl slap her across the face, and her parents did not say anything. My daughter’s teacher was shocked, but she didn’t speak up. My husband and I were startled at what we saw. My husband walked up to the other girl’s father and lost his temper. But honestly, can you blame him?
When you witness something like that, thoughts race through your mind. You cannot help but wonder if this happens all the time or is a one-time thing. Your first instinct is to protect your child, and when you’re angry, the only way to do that is by biting others’ heads off. You say things that are hurtful and mean to the other parent and question their parenting ability. But the thing you need to realize is that it could be your kid on the other side and maybe the little one who did this had no idea that she did a bad thing. Or maybe she did and didn’t think there would be consequences.
The best way to deal with a situation such as this is to understand the child’s perspective. A three-year-old is perhaps not resilient. They are just children going through an underlying emotion that they cannot express, or rather, don’t know how to. If a child slaps or hits your kid, it may point to something she does not know or understand. But that’s why adults are around!
Image: Shutterstock
If your kid is on the receiving end of it, it’s natural for you to find it hard to keep your cool and go about this calmly. However, if you take a few moments to step back and assess the situation, you will be in a better position to take the next step.
When children exhibit violent and aggressive behavior, it’s most likely that they have seen it happen in their home and family. Have you ever snapped at your partner because you were stressed about work? Your kid watches everything you do, and it makes an everlasting impression on their minds. They follow suit, eventually. Therefore, stay calm and see what needs to be done.
If such a situation arises that the offending child’s parents do not intervene, you may choose to do so. But remember to stay calm and do not lose your temper. It will only scare the child away. Instead, talk to them calmly and tell them why it’s wrong to hit someone. Make them understand on their own why it’s not polite and do not be afraid to stand up to their parents (if need be). You can also talk to the teacher in charge and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Every kid deserves to feel safe, and as adults, it is our duty to keep them safe.
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
