What would you have done if this happened to your child?

Question

We were at the children's museum today and my son was playing at the water exhibit they have (boats, cups, water pump, sprayer, etc) and he was having fun with a watering can feature they have. The thing about the can is that it swivels and goes over the edge of the rocks. He was enjoying getting it on the floor and this other woman (without a child near him) walked over and splashed my son in the face with water, got in his face and said "I'm not your mother, but don't get other people wet you little ***" Well, needless to say, I was upset but didn't want to make a scene. This is not an exhibit for little kids but people here don't care about that. He was having fun and not getting people wet except for a few feet. They provide smocks for the kids to wear, do people really think your kid is not going to get wet at a river exhibit? What would you have done? If it wasn't for the fact he loves the classes there (and the fact I spent $95 for the pass) I would have left.

Answer 1

I would have had security through the b**** out for verbal child abuse!!

Answer 2

OMG- i would have been superSUPER mad...I think i would have told that lady a few things...not just set there....instead of causign a scene i woulda made a whole dang movie!!!

Answer 3

I'm impressed that you kept your cool - some people are so wrong.  In the future I would have pleasantly said, Excuse me - if you have an issue with my child please let me or a staff member know and it will be handled it in a mature way.  It points out that she was way out of line and that you are a responsible adult.  It just makes me pissed to think about it!

We were at a splash park the other day with my son 18 mo. and niece 3 yo and this 8-10 yo boy was splashing the little kids in the face with water and scaring them.  We asked him nicely to stop and when he continued my husband talked calmly to the parent and said what he was doing and asked if they could get him to stop - they had him say he was sorry and all the kids had a great morning!

Answer 4

First, I would have found a staff member and told them what she did - chances are she would have been escorted out and asked not to come back. Then I would have dialed 911 on my phone and told them that this woman was assaulting and yelling profanities at my child, and followed her so the police knew where to go. Police do not take kindly to people who treat children like that, and you can be sure at the very least she'd never show her face around that museum again!

I'm terrified of what that woman treats her own children like if she's that aggressive towards a stranger's children.

Answer 5

...how on earth did you keep from popping this woman in the mouth?? I would have been on the phone calling in someone for bail money because shed be counting her teeth on the floor im afraid....i do know the bi**h would have had more then splashed feet when i got done.

Answer 6

I would have not cussed, but got in her face that she was yelling profanities and abusing your child. Don't ever leave because of that B****! You handled it well because you set an example of not lowering yourself to that B****!  Oops my potty mouth, I just don't people yelling at a little child.

Answer 7

Well, it is a lesson for you: Other people don't find your kids 'antics' cute. It is your job to control your child. Now, that being said, I would have come down like Hellfire on that woman for getting near my son. What do you care about causing a scene? You should have gotten security involved.

Answer 8

tell the lady as politely as poossible that you are going to call the police and charge her with assault

Answer 9

Obviously she didn't want her feet to get wet.  If the exhibit isn't "child friendly" then you should not have had your child there to begin with no matter how "the people" react to children.  Obviously for the other woman to be there she had to pay to get in as well.  She was paying to see an exhibit that wasn't "child friendly"...you allowed your child to do whatever he wanted to.

Answer 10

Take that lady to court.  It is a minor battery actually.  It got in his eye.  Seriously.  Even if you spit on someone its battery.

Answer 11

I would have said something to her that is not called for and then on top of that she didn't see you standing close by lets her think she can do it to other people's kids. but since you didn't you should talk to your son let her know what that lady said to him wasn't nice and the next time it happens you will be there. what that lady said was not okay. The children's musem where I live (Boston) has a similar exhibit and my daughter loves it and people get wet but I have never seen someone get upset with the children because of it. I really would have said something to her because that's not cool.

Answer 12

I would have smacked her!  My god, she is an adult and does soemthing like that?  I would have given her a piece of my mind!

Didn't you say it was at the "children's museum"?  If that's the case, your son had every right to do what he was doing!

Answer 13

I would definitely call a manager over and ask them to talk to her.  We have a place like that in our town and no one cares if the kids spill water there, that's what it's for, otherwise they would say no kids and not have smocks.  It's supposed to be a fun and inviting place.  I would have wanted to say something myself but woud be afraid my emotions would have gotten the best of me.  

She does need to know one way or another though that it is for one, not okay to talk to anyone like that especially not a little kid!  

I think for the most part, people should not discipline other kids in public but if they have a problem with what they are doing, they should go to the parents calmly.

Answer 14

she splashed him in the face and said that!?!?!  wow!  maybe you should have said i'm not YOUR mother, but don't use that type of language around children!  i would've said something for sure.  i wouldn't have made a scene, but i'd have definitely let her know that SHE was being inappropriate.  it's almost like she was being a bully.  

i'm actually really getting mad reading this!  what is wrong with people?  your  kid was being a kid.

Answer 15

I would have made a scene! No one should ever do that to a child. What a b****!

Answer 16

OMG! How did you manage to keep your cool with her!! WOW I dont even know what I would have done but it would have been ugly!

Answer 17

I don't get it.  If you didn't defend your kid for something like this, what will you do if something worse happens?  Stand back and watch? Get some guts.  Did you see what happened?  Maybe he purposely sprayed her.  In which case, she should of talked to you, not him.

Answer 18

What I notice is ppl hate to see kids enjoying their own company. I dont know why but they're just hateful. And the funny thing is, if he was kickin n screamin out of boredom she'd react the same way.

I guess because their lives were miserable they think they need to take it out on every kid they come in contact with.

You probably should've thrown her in the river and see what she had to say after!

Answer 19

There is always a docent or someone nearby.  I would have brought this to the attention of the staff.  Let them take care of it~!

Answer 20

I would have defenitely spoke up. She harrassed your child. Please tell me you did not let her get by with it. i would have said something loud enough to where a worker came over to take over the issue. More than likely she would have been kicked out. For a grown person to do something like that to a child. Honestly they would have probably had to get me off of her before they could do anything else. I am not loud person but when it comes to my kids there is no way I would let somebodu hurt them. In some states you can't swear at children.  I would have made sure to at least file a report.

Answer 21

Definetely would have alerted security! But not before having a few choice words with this woman. No-one, I mean no-one messes with my children. I know you didnt want to cause a scene and I would have tried my best not to but regardless of whether or not your son was in the right she had absolutely no right to treat him that way.

Answer 22

I would have gotten very close to the "lady's" face as I was dialing 911  on my cell phone and said, "I'm not the police, but they'll be here in a few minutes you little ***"

Answer 23

OMG...there would have so been a scene.  What restraint you have.....