how do you deal with other people's (bratty) children?

I probably would have done the same thing as you have, I don't like bratty children and more so parents who ignore their bratty children. I think that as parents it's our obligation to discipline our children. That kid was rude and his parents should have reprimanded him. No, I do not believe that you are or were a jerk, it's just a mom protecting her child, your reaction was understandable specially if the teasing has been going on for some time and it would've been unmotherly-like of you if you didn't react. Yes, I also believe that the situation could have been handled better, but I don't think most anyone will fault you on what happened.

You know, I think I would have probably handled it the same way! The parents were obviously not caring that their kid was insulting your son. And sometimes you do have to blow off some steam, and you reach your boiling point. It may not have been right to say it, but I definitly would have done the same thing-- and maybe added a little more. The other parents are the jerks since they didn't stop their kid to being with. That's just my opinion though ;) i'm glad you son wasn't offended by that bratty kid!

Yah I totally understand what you did and I would of been so tempted to do the same. But I probably would of said something to the parents to do something. If they didn't then I would of yelled something to them and possible told the kid off too. I had a situation on holidays last year where a kid was throwing items into the swimming pool including a knife and fork that was lift on one of the tables near by. The father and his son had only just walked into the pool area. The child was infront of the father taking ash trays of each table and toshing it in the pool. I watched in disbelief at first. The father was focusing on getting to the table closest to us to sit down and quickly make a cell phone call. Immediately the son took the knife and fork and threw it into the hottub where a couple and there child were sitting. The items barely missed everyone but the one item did bounce back in front of the male in the hot tub. I thought the father would explode but no no he was not paying attention just staring off into space. The couple in the hot tub didn't want to say anything either. The people in the pool were like oh my gosh that kid through an astray into the pool. My daughter was like that kid is a brat but no one was doing anything while the kid was running around looking for more things to throw. I got up yelled at the father telling him to watch his child and mention the couple in the hottub then headed to the lobby to find security for the kid. They also acted like so what! I don't get it! By the way this child looked to be a normal child. I think the only thing he wanted was his daddies attention. Very Sad!

I'm behind you on this one. Frankly, I think bratty kids need to be put in their place by someone who is within earshot of them. I'm a teacher mind you and I do it with my own students at times. Kids need to be reminded that pushing someone else's buttons is not the way to pave way for a friendship, nor is it a good way to call attention to themselves, which in many cases is where bullying begins. This kid is a bully in the making and the parents just refuse to acknowledge it. Once a kid was playing with my son in a playground. They were both about six years old. All at once the boy jumped on top of my son, who was a bit smaller and began to literally strangle him. The mother of this boy just sat there and totally ignored him. I jumped up and pulled him off my son. Needless to say, the mother stopped speaking to me, but who cares? Sometimes the parents need a reality check as well.

Nah. I don't think you were being a jerk. I think you were just trying to put the kid in his place. Personally, I think it's best to let kids handle things amongst themselves unless of course it turns to physical violence. If your child is going to have a haircut, or wear an earing or do anything else that makes him stand out, then he's going to have to learn to handle these situations. I don't think it's right for people to pick on eachother, but it is a fact of life. When you go out of your way to set yourself apart from the crowd in appearance you are more likely to be singled out. Of course that is a personal choice and I don't have a problem with earings or long hair on boys, but there are plenty of people who do and won't hesitate to say so. There is a huge gap between how the world should be and how the world really is. I would not have approached the parents as you mentioned you were cosidering. The chances are, that child got his ideas from his parents and you would not have accomplished anyting and might have made the situation worse. I leave parenting up to the individual parent. If they choose not to correct their child then I simply try to teach my child the best way to handle rude kids. Although making that comment to the kid might not have been my first choice in handling it (in hindsight) I have probably made comments like that to rude kids as well. Ideally though, as I already said, I think the kids should be left to deal with these situations. I guess another exception would be if the child being singled out is clearly distraught. Then the parent should step in. But that is doesn't seem to apply in your case. Regarding your question about "the pot calling the kettle black". I agree completely. It is kind of odd that a boy with an earing was giving a boy with long hair a hard time. It's kind of silly, but then, kids often do silly things. These children are pretty young still. At that age, these kids don't really have much of an idea about the consequences of their words. They are just beginning to learn that. The best you can do, is use these situations as teaching moments for you child and remind them that words do hurt. That we should try not too worry too much about what other kids say, but at the same time, we should try to be considerate of the feelings of others and not say hurtfull things to others. Basically, the Golden Rule. If I were you, I wouldnt worry too much about it. Life is full of small situations and lessons to be learned, just deal with them as they come and move forward. Take care.

well, I feel for you! Other peoples kids (and dogs) have got my Goat as well. You child was real good about it! Are you sure you want him to be mistaken for a girl? Why cut his hair in a style that might put him under stress? I might have been tempted to mention the earring too.I can understand why you regretted your remarks later. No your not a Jerk! Just a concerned Mom... (I raised 4 boys and cut their hair in a boys cut. One of them chose to get a AFro when he was about 10. I thought that Funny, but he wore it for a while before he got tired of it.)

I think you handled it better than I would have, so no I don't think you're a big jerk. Knowing that it bothers you shows that you have a big heart. I would of said some choice things that would of got the parents' attention. Then we probably would of ended up exchanging words. I try to turn my head when parents ignore their kids, but when it involves my child...it's a different ball game. I agree about the pot calling the kettle black. He sounds like a spoiled little bully to me.

Well as funny as it is, I know sometimes it is hard to control our emotions even when dealing with children. Especially when the situation seems hopeless for the parents themselves doesn't seem to be aware that their kid is taking it way overboard. Well, I would have pretty much done the same as you did if I were in the situation, I do try to hold my temper almost all the time, but I think that witnessing how the child is harassing my kid and how oblivious the parents are to the matter, it would definitely make me blow up. And of course I am also sure that I'll be feeling as guilty afterwards for doing so. Afterall he was a kid and I should have known better. Yet, I believe the parents should have acted upon the childs behavior right away, the parents are responsible for their childs actions for they know better and should therefore make sure their child does not harass other children.

I think you said what you did out of a natural protective feeling for your child, and I may have done the same, but I do think you're right and your insight into why the kid was picking on your son is right on. I don't think you're a jerk, because sometimes it's hard to be the 'adult' with particularly bratty kids. Maybe tell your son you regret what you said and let him know boys can wear earrings too... if you are trying to teach gender equality you can't send the message that certain things are 'girly', and if they are, so what?

I probably would ahve said similar, but I tend to over react about my boys so I'm not saying its a good thing. I don't know what would have been the right thing. I mean if the parents don't seem the type that care sayingsomething probably would ahve gotten no where, or worse. If his friends were telling him to knock it off I'd hope that they would tell him what a jerk he is, and maybe ignore him for a while. That might get to him more. I don't know. As long as Peter wasn't upset about it I probably would have told the kid to bug off then ignored him.

well, you were right.....His parents shouldve handled the situation, I hate that parents dont supervise their children, I always pay close attention to what my son is doing, there is a time when the parents should step in. And these people didnt. I think that children should realize what they are doing. Right or wrong I probably would've done the same thing =)

i can understand you, i'm a mother myself and i've done worse things for my kids. don't be hard on yourself. you'd feel good and then rotten, but after a long while looking back it's become comedy to me. i'ts just goes to show of how well we are concerned about our childen and our nature to protect them from harm. we just can't stand there looking the other way and not doing anything especially if you're a witness to this meanness done to your kid. if there's anything you can do as long as it's not over the limits, you'd do it - for your children. explain it to your boy so that he will know that the other kid's behavior is not to be tolerated and that you were doing it to protect him because he can't protect himself just yet. you have just added security to your child, showed him you care, taught him good manners, and maybe taught him to fight back. as for the other rude kid and his parents, i don't want to imagine what his son will be like when he's grown.