Why do people do these things?

I was out this weekend with my DH and DC. We were parked waiting for DH to get us McDonalds. I happened to look to my left and saw 3 little kids in a car w/what appeared to have been their grandmother? Anyhow, the kids were anywhere from 6-8 years old. One of the boys was sitting on her lap, there was a girl to her left and a boy in the front. In the moment that I looked at them, I saw the woman yelling at him to "shut up" and then smacked him in the face 3 times. He of course, started crying, and she proceeded to smack him again, telling him to shut the F*** up. I was in shock. At that point, the other kids in the car looked disturbed. One (girl) didn't know where to look, so she was just looking down. The boy in the front, just stayed looking straight ahead, and the other boy..well..he was hysterical. At that point my DH came back into the car and she noticed I was in the back seat. I glanced over again, and she actually had the nerve to hug the boy she smacked and wiped his tears, while telling him you're ok papi.

I mentioned to DH what happened, and told him I wanted so bad to get out of the car, kick her in her chest while telling her to SHUT UP and how does that feel? Not so good right?

Unfortunately I just opted to give her the DIRTIEST look ever. She knew why...but just turned her head.

I just don't understand why people who hit children, automaticaly tell them "shut up" AFTER they start crying. Don't they realize it hurts and it will make them cry???? I don't think anything he could have done was THAT bad to warrant 5 smacks to the face.

I'm sorry ladies..I just got so upset seeing this and felt HORRIBLE for those kids.

Message edited 8/26/2008 9:24:20 AM.

Re: Why do people do these things?

I hate seeing this. I always fight with myself to say something or just figure out another way to handle it. I would never want to put my own child in danger (esp now that I am PG again), but I want to help the kid too.

Its tough to see a kid in that situation.

Re: Why do people do these things?

so sad, I would have been so tempted to say something to that witch.....poor kids

Re: Why do people do these things?

That breaks my heart. For the little boy to be treated that way by someone he loves and trusts and for you for having to see it. You feel so powerless and it's such a hard call to make. I would have reacted the same way that you did.

The sad thing is that this woman has to be caught to react differently...and her actions after are so disturbing...what kind of message does a person send to a child to hit them and yell at them..and then hug them and give affection...no apology...uggghhhh - that bothers me. What must that poor little guy be thinking.

Re: Why do people do these things?

Thats horrible.. It freaks me out to imagine if they can do things like this in public what happens in private.. I want to vomit with the thought of these people.

Re: Why do people do these things?

I can't take hearing or seeing things like that, it makes me SICK!!! I don't understand how anyone could hit there child no less out in public! Disgusting, that woman should be ashamed of herself. I would of called the cops, but that's just me, I get very emotional over stuff like that. I can't help but think how scared a child feels when they are getting hit, I don't care how bad the child was being, there is no reason to hit.

Re: Why do people do these things?

that is horrible, never the less setting a horrible example for the children & is probably very emotionally disturbing for all of them