Hey guys

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question. I don't want a debate. I witnessed some extreme, um, 'disciplining' on the weekend. I didn't say anything to the parents as frankly it's none of my business. But after discussing with DH and a friend, we all thought when do you say something and how do you say it? We came to the conclusion that you leave it a few days, ring the parents up and gently ask if everythings ok, are they stressed out, do they need someone to babysit so they can have a day alone etc. Approaching someone in the midst of it is just going to insult them and they'll probably lash out in defense. But then on the other hand when a kid's been practically beaten... what the hell do you do?!

I was at church and sat in a row with a young family, with 2 seats between the dad and myself. The 2 children aged about 2 & half and 8 months were quietly playing on a rug at their feet. They were not bothering me at all (only other person in the row) and I personally thought they were really well behaved, they weren't making any noise. Of course they started encroaching some extra space and ended up at my feet with the baby cooing at me, but they're kids. As long as they're not kicking me or whatever I don't care what they do.

Everytime they so as much moved their fingers off the rug they were on, the dad would pick up a heavy book and smash it over their heads of course they started screaming and he would then put his hand on their head and push them so they were laying down. Then he'd take them out to stop the cyring, and when he brought them back in they'd climb onto their mothers lap, latch onto her and give the dad scared looks. This went on for an hour. Both kids had red marks up their arms from where he'd grab them and yank them into place.

It didn't look as though as he was at his wits end and stressed out or anything, he was calm when he did it as though he done it everyday. Yes, I was judging. I don't know them or their circumstances, but it seemed extreme - the kids weren't even misbehaving.