Playground etiquette?

I was at a restaurant that had a playground outside that was completely full of water. Many of the kids were playing in the mud and some were forbidden to get into and only play on the dry structures. But one kid in particular was throwing handfuls of mud at some other children.

This lady chimed in and I knew it was not her child throwing or being thrown at but she firmly, sternly told the boy "Absolutely Not. We do not throw things at other people. It is mean."

None of the other parents minded at all. I think everyone should look out for everyone's children not just their own. If that parent did have an issue with you saying something she/he would be the only one. More than likely all the parents want to say something but have the same sorta fear.

We're talking about a child.

I'd give him/her a dirty look and tell them in a stern voice to "stop that!"

If the parent gets mad, tell them they ought to keep a closer eye on their child and that you don't have to put up with it. As an adult, and especially if you're the only one nearby, you should say something. Children need structure - it's not your responsibility to raise another child, but your child also sees what's going on and needs to know that you're not complacent with that type of behavior.

If they were throwing it are your child, you wouldn't (shouldn't) hesitate to react, so why not say something in that case?

Why wait till someone gets hurt if the potential for it exists and is very real? You don't let people swim in shark-infested waters until someone gets bitten. The back-seat, "wait and see what happens" approach to parenting doesn't work. And doing so to avoid an argument is just cowardly.

In the past any adult would have been socially sanctioned to spank a wayward child, and the parents would be grateful. Why are we so afraid to even speak to children nowadays?

Of pther kids are beong hurt you can always just say loudly, hey guys I see someone doing something not safe by throwing woodchips maybe we out to all come over here to play. Depending on the kids age he'll get it. I actually will help re-direct, or ask children where their grown-up is. When I get a bunch of crap from other moms I just remind them that for kids its Monkey See Monkey Do and when something risks the safety of other kids on the playground I am going to open my mouth and say something.

I'd say something to the kid(s) throwing woodchips.

I've even had to scold older kids playing on the jungle gyms while SMOKING. It's kinda weird telling a pre-teen not to smoke around the children, but we as adults have to speak up for the kids.

I have not any situation diciplining individuals's youngsters while it comprises situations like that. My daughter is amazingly timid and we've been at a play section as quickly as the place a touch female purposely kicked her interior the pinnacle 2X. the 1st time I gave her the best thing about the doubt and according to hazard theory it grow to be an accident. The 2d time, I ran over there, wagged my finger in her actuality and instructed her, "DON"T kick her lower back". Her mom have been given off her cellular telephone long sufficient to ask if there grow to be a situation. I mentioned- definite, your daughter merely kicked my daughter interior the pinnacle two times and that i had to enable her understand that grow to be beside the point. The mom wasn't too happy, yet by way of that ingredient i grow to be waiting to take her on too! haha! I also have a short fuse while it comprises people messing with my youngsters!! :)

the old adage, "it takes a village..." seems lost in its intention in america. we live in a society where we leave our children for the majority of their time with strangers, whether they are teachers, care providers, etc but when a "stranger" takes it upon themselves to remedy inappropriate or unsafe behaviors, parents fly off the handle. sure, you might get a little anxious or uncomfotable coming upon a situation where someone is telling your kid how to act, but so long as they dont grab your kid up by the ear, or yell at them, i think they are due a thanks, more than so much as a scowl.

i am totally THAT mom, the one who will police the playground because i am well aware of the lackadaisical ways people can leave their children unattended, sometimes when they are right there. i have been approached by angry parents who are miffed because i called their kid out on being wrong.

i was taught by every responsible adult in my life, dont throw rocks, dont throw gravel, woodchips fall right in there.

id rather deal with a disjointed parent, than watching my kid, or anyone elses, for that matter, get hurt.

You have to be a lot more careful these days than you used to. I would say that if your child is involved, you may say something. Or if you see a child doing something that has a good chance of hurting themselves or someone else, speak up. If it doesn't seem to be dangerous and your child isn't nearby or involved, I'd play it safe and stay out of it. Just because you never know how people will react these days.

This is part of the reason our society is going down the tubes - people are afraid of speaking up. I know when growing up, if another adult saw me doing something wrong, they never thought twice of repremanding me for it - If you are within distance (not way across the park), then yes, I would say something. People today are too afraid of "stirring" something up - how else are we going to teach our kids to stand up for what's right if we stand by and don't do it ourselves?

No, You say something, regardless to the irresonsible parents, YOUR children and her friends' kids are out there too, If someone could get hurt, you as a mommy should step in and make sure a kid is not hurting themselves or others.

What if that same kid had fallen and broken his leg, would you have gotten up or let his mom (wherever she was) deal with him sooner or later....?

The same goes with child safety......

I would probably say something, but in a nice way...maybe something like "Hey buddy! Can ya stop throwing those woodchips please! We dont' want anyone to get some of that in their eyes!" and be really chipper, without sounding mean. If you dont say anything..who will???