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What do people do if anotger persons child behaves badly on your watch (playdate, birthday party). Do you ignore the behaviour or tell the child off?


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  • I wouldn’t ignore the behaviour, I would ask the child to not do/say what they are doing. I have had to do so before (in front of the dad) as the dad was just watching doing SFA . I had asked the child to stop doing what he was doing and he repeatedly kept doing it.


  • When a child behaves badly under my watch in the absence of the parent I certainly act.


  • I ask them if mummy or daddy would be happy with how they are behaving? That usually gets them to stop what they are doing that isn’t being nice.


  • I think this depends on how old the child is, if he/she is only young I would say your being very naughty and when you Mum/dad get here I will be informing them about it. If they are older I would definitely be more firm.


  • I don’t tell them off but I do ask them
    If their mummy or daddy would like to know that they’ve been naughty and behaviour changes


  • If it is on my watch, then definitely yes. Actually, if it is not on my watch but they are being naughty especially to my kid, then still yes.


  • I do no think ‘telling any child off’ works. You should react the same as you would with your own child as these children are under your watch and you are responsible for them. Hopefully you will tell a child quietly and nicely to stop something that is not good. If they ignore you then tell them sternly but evenly that this is their second warning. If they don’t respond in a good manner then ring their parents, or let their parents know and don’t take responsibility for them again. Or if they are doing something dangerous or hurting someone else then call the police. sometimes children will push you to your limit on purpose. love to all Lyn


  • If i am responsible for them I expect the child to play by my rules and will let them know if they are not behaving appropriately and that is not how we do it at our house.
    If their parent is there then I leave it up to them to say something.


  • I would say something. If you’ve got a friend over for a play date or you’re babysitting, I would assume that you’re close enough with the family to know what’s appropriate to say, or if to give time out if that’s their style. If not, perhaps it’s worth a discussion.


  • I say something if I am looking after them, generally I find I don’t have to say much as they’ll listen better because I’m not their parent.


  • I tell them off, but how I do it will be affected by how well I know their parents’ discipline style.


  • If the child is on my watch at the time, I would definitely say something. Like I would expect other parents to do the same if my child was on their watch.


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