I am so sad and heartbroken over something I witnessed last night.

I was leaving Target at 9:20 pm last night and walking in front of me was a little boy, about 3, with what appeared to be his Grandma with his mother a little bit in front of them. I was thinking about how late it was for this little guy and about how tired he must be. At that moment he kind of "tipped over" and fell to his knees in the parking lot. His Gma was trying to pull him up and he was starting to fuss and cry. I was thinking "Oh my gosh, he is just so tired." His mother came over and picked him up, hit him on the bottom and started to yell at him.

She drug him over to the car, he was crying, and strapped him in the carseat and hit him three or four more times, all the while screaming at him "Don't do this to us!!! You are going right to bed when we get home, do you hear me?" I could hear the little guy crying and saying "Yes, I hear you" The Gma said nothing and just got into the backseat.

It reminded me of that video a few years ago of the woman beating her daughter in the Walmart parking lot while she was strapped into her car seat.

I know the mother saw me looking at them. But I don't know what I could have done.

I am just crying inside for that little guy. That poor, sweet baby. A mother who beats him and screams at him and a Grandmother who sits by and says nothing.

Why couldn't that mother just scooped him up and kissed him and said, "I know you are tired, you have been so patient and such a good boy. Lets get you home and tucked into bed."

What chance does he have? Doesn't she realize he is a gift?

Last night I prayed for him and then today in church I tried to pray for his mother. I prayed that she will look at his little face and realize that she is reacting in anger. That he deserves better.

I look at my DD and just cannot imagine treating her like that.

I am so sad.

__________________
Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

Called 911? Given them the license number?

__________________
bite me and get a brain!

People like that should not have kids, You should have took the license plate number and called the cops, that is what I would have done.

Some people need to learn that you don't hit a kid like that.


Mrs.B - please remove your ebay links from your signature. Advertising is not allowed. Thanks! ~Cindy

It is not to late to call the police and report this as it will appear on the wal mart survalence cameras.

If you thought it was really abusive, I think it would have been good to take the license number and call the police. Beating a child is never acceptable. Without knowing what happened before you saw the family, the mother's anger, while it never should have been taken out on the child, might have been understandable. Perhaps the child had been pitching fits and been obnoxious all day long, for example. Doesn't excuse beating and screaming, of course, but it would explain why mom didn't want to kiss and cuddle the child . . .

__________________

Reading is Fundamental.

This is awful. You have to wonder how it is possible for not one, but two, adults to believe this is an okay way to treat a little guy. Calling the police doesn't always help. It depends upon who answers the call. If the officer chooses to investigate the video, call Child Services, and take the boy for examination, it would be great. But I've seen officers call it the witness's word against the parents, and blow it off with the explanation along the lines of "everyone is tired, the kids misbehaved and got a spanking", and that's the end of it.
Maybe today you could contact your local child abuse hotline, explain to them what you saw, and ask for guidance. Perhaps they can pull the tape & get the parents' info.
Honestly, it just makes me wonder why the hell some people have kids. I do not get it.

a co worker of mine's neice who is very outspoken. Saw a grandma hitting a little boy about the age of 3 who had down syndrome. They were at the walmart and he was tired and whiney and i guess the gma had enough and she started yelling and smacking him. Well the neice went up to her and said if you would like to know how it feels to be hit I will show you. I always wish I had that in me to go up and speak my mind when i see something like that going on. which thankfully i've not seen it happen but once or twice.

steph

__________________
IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/my2cuties/diabetes_1.gif[/IMG]

That is awful. You should of called he police and taken the license plate number down. I have watched over the years of many young children dying because they have cancer and their families totally devastated over their losses and how badly they wish they could just hug them one more time and kiss them one more time. You have got to appreciate what you have, because their may be some day where it is the last time. I Could never imagine hurting my children.

__________________
SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 9 , Emily Ann 5, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

i wouldn't have known what to do then either, don't feel bad. I am guessing the mother was raised the same way and that's why grandma said/did nothing. I am in NO WAY explaining or even on the side of the mother, but just to play devil's advocate. Lets say Mom was tired too. Maybe he wasn't an angel in the store. What I like to think I would have done is gone up to her and said something like, "I know raising children is hard, but I'm sure he's tired too. I'll pray for you that God gives you the patience and understanding you need in times like this." I would be sincere and try to say it in a kind voice. Of course she may be grateful and realize what she did, or she may curse you out and tell you to mind your own business. However she would react, I'm sure it would give her something to think about. I'm sure calling 911 would be the best way. But I'm not sure I'd have guts to do it unless I saw someone really beating their child. I guess it depends on the situation.

__________________
I have OCCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Coupon Disorder!!!

That is simply sad so sad, there is never ever a excuse for any form of hitting of a child, your child, my child, anyones child. I am againist any form of disapline when its comes to putting your hands on your child. Having a child requires the upmost patience.We never ever put our hands on our child,so when I witness or hear stories as such, its breaks my heart as well. Hopefully the camera's wer able to catch the license on their camera's.There are so many other forms of disapline.Peace. Catherine

Sometimes it is hard to know what is the correct action to take.
This story took place in a town near me a couple months ago.

Update: Bruised, bloodied boy, 3, found at Bullhead City store | www.azstarnet.com ®

I really think the woman that called saved this childs life.

__________________

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

I guess, in retrospect, I should have called 911. I don't know if it would have done any good, but at least I would have done something.

I don't think any possible cameras would be any help. It was dark, after 9pm, and she was strapping him into the carseat on the side of the car away from the store.

I don't think there is anything I can do about it now, sadly. But I will be better prepared if, God forbid, I see something like that again.

When my daughter is having a meltdown or crying or pitching a fit it makes me want to kiss and cuddle her even more. I acknowledge she is tired/hungry/hurt/upset/frustrated and wish I could do something to help her.

I would hope that even if I were frustrated and tired myself I would remember she is a little person (as was that boy) who doesn't have the language yet to express herself. If I couldn't communicate I am sure I would pitch a few fits too.

__________________
Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

I think I'd still report this. Maybe it would prod Target to put in better surveillance?

FWIW, I used to carry lollipops in my purse. If I saw a kid melting down (or a parent clearly at the end of their rope), I would speak directly to the parent, saying something like "My son had a day like that Wednesday! I have a couple of lollipops you are welcome to if it will help you get done here in peace." I only had one bad reaction from a mom.

Of course, when it reaches the kind of extreme Tessa witnessed, I would agree it is a police matter.

Tessa I agree with you on should you ever strike your child, thank you for that, I totally agree with everything you said. Now for this story of the little boy, its truly sad, and for you as a mom to witness it was just as sad.Little children need their sleep they do become cranky and tired and their little to have to walk around a store later at nite. I know your are feeling you should have done something, perhaps like the other poster stated, you can contact target and perhaps they might have something on their camera's it is worth a try. Also who knows perhaps they might be able to find this mom and grandmother and perhaps it may just may send a message, that to watch what you do in public, people are watching all the time...Give your dd a big hug.As old as my kids are 23,20 and almost 17 I can never ever ever imagine especially when they were younger to ever ever strike them... Peace.. Catherine

Well, a parent not thinking. There are so many people out in this world who have forgotten that children are a gift and not a burden. So many people today work for the dollar so they can have materialistic things and think that buying thier children crap is the same as a hug or kind words. Well, I believe in karma... that sums it up for me!

I think I probably would have stuck my nose in their business and said something to try to diffuse the situation. I can be that way.

I equally hate it when I see a parent verbally abusing a child....screaming at them, calling them names, etc. Sometimes I think that's the most hurtful thing....really hurts to the core and sticks with a kid.

cj/

__________________
I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Your empathy for this child is very touching. I remember you had a long road to motherhood and it sounds like you are appreciating your 'gift' very much. You have a very lucky child. Unfortunately, this type of treatment you described is the norm for many, many children in their daily lives. I have seen many scenes like the one you describe. I think the only thing you can do in a situation like that is make yourself known as a witness- let them see you seeing this, and perhaps their shame will work on them. I really don't know the answer here. I don't think the police would do anything in a case like this.

This made me cry. And I think you hit the nail on the head.

__________________
Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!