I went to the local indoor play centre this morning and DS was pushed twice times (over a period of 4 hours) by another little boy. The last time, he was pushed into a fence, and while I didn't see the incident, another mother came over and told me about it.

I went to DS and told him that if the boy pushed him again, that he had my full permission to push him back. the mother of the bully was just sitting there, chatting to her friend. We had both seen one of the earlier incidents and she had slapped her son's hand, but I didn't hear her tell him off.

So should I have talked to the mother or displined her child (by telling him that pushing is not acceptable).