Punishing a child over something stupid
By seabeauty
@seabeauty (1480)
United States
May 30, 2007 11:15am CST
Do you feel it ok to scold a child in front of his/her freinds and punish him/her over something totally stupid?
My husband did just that. We bought a water slide for the kids and my husband was scolding my son for not wanting to go on it right in front of his friends. He called my son weird and told him that he was gonna return the slide since my son doesnt want to go on it. He went as far as making my son go in the house.
I felt it was wrong of my husband to punish him just because my son didnt feel like using the slide.
For him to embarrass him like that in front of everyone was the wrong thing to do in my opinion.
I really dont know what is wrong with him.
The kid didn't want to go on the slide, is that so wrong?
2 responses
@accents (87)
• United States
30 May 07
Well, it probably wasn't the right choice. Dads don't always understand kids very well. I'm sure he was disappointed that your son wasn't as excited about the slide as he was. Talk to your husband about what happened and how it made your son look to his friends. I imagine he was acting on impulse and not thinking things through.
1 person likes this
@seabeauty (1480)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Probably. I did speak to my husband about it so hopefully he will talk to my son in private instead of in front of his friends.
@1hipmomma (53)
• United States
30 May 07
Was your husband already angry or irritated when this happened? It just doesnt make sense that he would react so strongly to your son not wanting to use the water slide. I feel sorry for the kid, being embarrased in front of his friends..how old is he?
@seabeauty (1480)
• United States
30 May 07
He is 10. He was upset about something that happened at work that morning so I am guessing he was just taking it out on him.
I just couldn't understand why it was important for him to go on the slide, it's not like my husband bought the slide yesterday. He bought the slide on Saturday and my son was on the slide everyday since then. Its just that yesterday, he didnt feel like using it and my husband got mad at him for that.
@seabeauty (1480)
• United States
11 Aug 07
I agree LadyDulce. No child should be embarrassed in front of his or her friends like that. You know how cruel kids can be. I dont want his friends teasing him about the situation and I dont want my kids to be emotionally scarred.
@LadyDulce (830)
• United States
8 Jul 07
My stepfather was much the same way; very type A and emotionally constipated as well. I don't think a child should ever be disciplined or punished in front of his peers, especially at such a tender age. Nor should a parent EVER put down a child like that, especially his own child. The object is to teach a child to grow and become a confident, well-rounded, productive member of society. I hardly think this situation meets any of these criterion.
Blessed Be
