Originally Posted by Matthew  I understand where you are coming from, Adorame. That is why I stated that I felt some trepidation for speaking to the child like that. However, the child was supposed to be in a time out situation, which to me does not mean standing in one spot for app. 10 seconds, then running over to me before he was told that the "time out" was done, while Mom watches and does nothing.
Would I have smacked the kid, actually grabbed him, strung him up by his diapers on my flag pole? NO. But when a child is a guest at my home or in my yard, I expect that he will be supervised enough to not behave beyond what "normal" two year olds would engage in. I have yet to see a toddler actually and purposefully kick any animal, twice! Pulling ears, rough handling, chasing, yes. But that is more along the lines of unintentional behavior, which should be corrected as well.
When I visit their home, I don't correct their kids...this is not my place (unless they directly "assault" me, which has not happened).
I do like this child. But the line was drawn.
I suspect that if you and your child were visiting me, an incident like this would might have not happened. If it did, and you did not end it immediately with a time out or other intervention that had some impact, I would say the same thing. And if you put a fist in my face, you and yours would have been promptly asked to leave, and not come back.
I believe that people come first, then animals. However, the child has a mother. I act as a surrogate "parent" for my animals. If one of them gets too rough, I calm them down or remove them from the situation ASAP. This mother should have done the same, and not let the toddler dictate to her how long the time out should have been. I did my part, and removed Stanford from the situation promptly. |