[amandatockert]

I just wonder if they will check the guy for dementia? or ahlzimers? thats pretty much the only reason I can come up with for him doing that except rampant death wish. It doesn't excuse it but I just wonder?

[BeckyScott]

Originally Posted by curlybwc

You know I think it's really interesting that people are saying the mom should be able to control the child and are getting upset with the mom for "not doing anything" when most parenting experts advise that when a child throws a fit you do exactly that - nothing. Ignore them.

I've been told that, many times, by many people.

And another point, the child in fact could have special needs of some sort (although the article didn't mention that) or something else going on. People are sometimes quick to judge. I know of many parents of kids with autism who receive the evil eye on a regular basis, I've had it happen many times and my kid doesn't tantrum as bad as some. Not to play that card, but maybe there was something else entirely going on-- maybe the child was sick and mom ran to Wal Mart real quick for some meds, maybe she'd gotten her hand slammed in the van door , maybe mom thought it wise to pull a 3-hour shopping spree at the Wally World and the kid was tired and hungry. I've seen people with small children, toddlers, shopping in Wal Mart at 11 at night, I sure wouldn't do that and I'd understand a crying child. The article doesn't get that specific.

One way or the other, someone else slapping the child is completely over the line.

[CountryFan]

Sorry ladies but your SCREAMING children are infringing on MY shopping trips too. Crying for a short time is one thing but the screamers need to be dealt with.
A recent trip to Wal-Mart we were followed aisle to aisle by a woman with one child shrieking in a basket and another doing laps up and down the aisle. We gave up and left. Guess who gets behind us in line at the register as we are checking out and parks her shriek machine right at my a$$? You bet I wanted to shut that child up but instead I left without many of the deals I had Q's on. Ahhhh but I did get a nice migraine out of the trip.

[coupon214]

I was in my local store and there was a little boy, mad as can be, about 3 years old. This little old lady walked up to him and asked him to scream a little louder she couldn't hear him. You know what - he shut up! His Mom and I both were shocked that he stopped and did say a word the whole time I was in the same department.

[5zamoras]

Wow.......
I am kinda all over the place with this topic...I have 4 kids, 11,9,6 & 3...I am 33..
Do my kids behave EVERYTIME I am in a store? NO....they lag behind, they fight with one another, they ask for everything under the moon. BUT...they DO NOT & WILL NOT run wild, scream..and act all crazy....either! And they do understand that if they get too outta hand...they will get it once we get home..and I make good on my promises...LOL!!
It is EXTREMELY hard to shop with kids...esp..when I am in COUPON MODE...but..
I am NOT gonna let my kids make it HORRIBLE for everyone around me either!! That's just RUDE!
BUT SO HELP ME GOD..IF SOME IDIOT *TRIES* TO PUT THEIR HANDS ON MY CHILD OR EVEN TALK TO THEM FUNNY....My kids would be without a mom...cause I would be sitting in jail for murder..LOL!! I or DH WILL BE THE ONLY ones who discipline our children...not some random jerk who feels the need to take the situation into his own hands..
Okay...I am done now...

[Learning to truly live]

What happened to being empathetic and compassionate to a mom or dad with a crying, even screaming child?

Shopping with coupons and kids can be very overwhelming. I have a very spirited 3 year old. He simply has strong emotional responses whether he is extremely happy, extremely sad, extremely upset. He has thrown tantums in stores, he gets time outs, and we have marched out of the store before.

But I've always been so thankful for the people that don't cast judgmental looks at us when they smile an empathetic smile or say a kind word. I do end up shopping a lot in the evening without the kids, but that is not an option for everyone. As moms and dads we are doing the best we can and need to support each other, not judge each other.

As for the man slapping the child, that's completely out of line.