Anonymous please:
Hi ladies, I'm furious but hate conflict. I was at my brothers for a BBQ tonight, we arrived at 2pm. My 2 girls (3, 4) are awful around dinner time especially as they no longer have day naps and aren't used to being out in the evening but the meal hadn't even been started by 4pm and the girls started to misbehave and one hit me (they are really testing me at this age)
My sister in law grabbed her and hit her twice for it (not so hard smacks on the bum). I was shocked but more angry at myself now that I didn't say anything at the time. I just took them for a walk to calm them down and re-group. How do I raise this? It's not the first time it's happened. She did it here once when my daughter threw her dinner on the floor. They have an 10 month old daughter so obviously aren't used to toddler tantrums yet. My husband wasn't there thank goodness or would have gone nuts. I know what she'd say if I did it to her daughter. How do I raise this nicely?
7 Replies
I wouldn't be raising it nicely! I would be telling her on no uncertain terms not to hit my children. Tough situation though xx
Yep
Bring it up the next time you see her. Tell her calmly that you were very upset the last time you were together and why. Don't attack her but explain that no one else is to discipline your kids when you're around and she is NEVER to discipline your kids by smacking, if you're there or not. Just be straight up but calm.
Just tell her. Please don't spank my children, I'll discipline them.
Have the conversation. It's one sentence really: I don't like that you smacked my girl, don't ever do that again I will discipline my own children but Noone is to hit them.
Done, clear and you've done you're job.
Just say, I know you were trying to help, but don't spank my kids. If anyone is going to spank them thats up to the parents.
My sister smacked my daughter once for something that I would've classed as no big deal. That was 3 years ago and I'm still angry at myself for not saying something. Just bring it up next time the kids misbehave in front of her or even sooner. She can't change if she doesn't realise it's a problem