I think Americans have become undisciplined idiots. Give this man a medal. If parents can't control their children someone has to. I cannot imagine someone doing this to my children - BECAUSE THEY WOULD NEVER NEED TOO! I would have done it long before he had the chance. Arrest the mother of that poor child for neglect. That child is destined to grow up and be a selfish leach on society like so many are becoming these days. Everyone is looking at the rights of the child and not to the better good of society.

Bottom Line I would have broken his jaw. And anyone who supports his actions is a stupid idiot.

Bottom Line I would have broken his jaw. An anyone who supports these old man is a stupid idiot..

I think it is ridiculous. I think he needs some Prozac or something. Babies cry she was only two years old. If it was bothering him that bad he should have went to electronics or another line. I have to deal with grumpy old people all day so I can believe something like this happened. I have two little girls and they know better now how to act when we are out in public. When they were small it was a little more difficult to take them to the store because smaller kids get cranky, fussy, and annoyed. Every mother knows when you have to take a little kid shopping you get in and out ASAP, but when it comes to checking out that takes longer especially if the store is busy. And they say that young people have no patience. He had absolutely no right to even touch the child or even talk to the mother or child that way. If I was put in that situation there would be no holding me back. I may be small but when it comes to my children don’t mess with me.

Children cry for reasons and when in a store it was most likely the daughter couldn't get what she wanted. You can't stop a child from crying on a whim. They need to learn they can't get what they want. This man had no right to touch that little girl. Just because a child is crying is not a reason for the parent to stop everything he/she is doing and leave a store when they are just trying to check out and take care of the behavior in private. The mother had done nothing wrong and those of you that think the mother wasn't being a good parent because the child was crying child apparently have no children of your own.

To respond to the few people whom feel im a drill sargent parent!, SSA.....In reference to what I said, and you responded to...."My children know thier place". Dont take it and run with it..... My children respect my husband and myself. We provide what alot of parents are scared too. Firm, clear, expectations. No games. We dont beat our kids, put them down, nothing even close to that. Our children take pride in their behavior, its not hard to find a family out and about with screaming unruly kids....go to Wal-Mart! lol When children themselves can recognize ill mannered kids, what does that say about the parents? To another person that responded to what I said....Your right in that all children are not created equal, what works for one child may or may not work for another. Each family is different. Not one single child of mine is the same, all requires different forms of parenting. And that is what I am, their parent, their role model! That man in Wal-Mart, he was certainly out of line. I will be clear about that. However, as a mother, if I had taken my two year old child to the store. I'd be sure she was well rested, fed, and knowing her personality do whatever I need to do to make sure "we" are not a disruption to fellow shoppers. Its the right thing to do. If my toddler becomes fussy, or disruptive, I as her mother would have to make some sarafices, and take care of my child. IE, fix the issue thats the problem, leave the area, apologize...whatever. But ignoring her only makes the child more angry, loud annoying, and the shoppers stand around annoyed and irritated, not to mention thinking thoughts of what a bad parent I am! lol Im not a self proclaimed mother of the year, but find it so sad how we as a socieity view our kids as our friends, no as our children, WE must raise them to care, and respect one another, and sometimes that means saying NO! And meaning it, not No, until you fall on the floor, cry, kick and throw something. NO, means just that NO!

My jaw dropped when I read this. I can't believe he hit a child that wasn't his. I have been in both senarios before. The Wal-Mart in my town is always full of kids running around and screaming and the parents do nothing about it. I would like to say something but I don't, because they aren't my children. I am a mother of an 11 month old and 2 year old. I have been in public places when they started throwing tantrums and have left MANY times because of it. But as all parents should know, that's not always possible. I try to run my errands without them to avoid situations like this but it's not always possible to do that and not everyone has that option. You have to realize that not all parents that have screaming children are bad parents. True, many of them are, but don't assume it. I think all parents should remove their kids from a store when it does happen or not take them when they're tired or hungry, or whatever so you can avoid the tantrums to begin with. But other people shouldn't get so angry with a screaming child especially when they think the parent is not doing their job. It's not the child that's in the wrong, it's the parent. If he felt he should be doing anything he should have hit the mother, not the child.

I've already commented about someone else touching your child being wrong, parent's needing to teach their children manners, boundaries, respect etc, society and childrearing in general these days, but what I have yet to comment on is this......"How in God's name are you going to stand around and let a stranger slap your child, not once but 4-5 times!?!? I don't know maybe it's just me but there wouldn't have been a first time nevermind 4-5!~! This more than anything makes me want to slap the mother, because it's one thing to have kids and them have a bad day or need a refresher in manners, but to let a complete stranger slap them!?!

Seriously???...Some of you people are condoning this man's actions??? What planet are you on? This man assaulted and abused an innocent child. As for those who say that the mother should be held responsible...you are either not parents or it's been so long that you don't remember what having a 2 year old is like. As someone who is dealing with the "terrible twos" right now, I know the frustration and sense of helplessness this woman was probably dealing with.(thank you Harris Teeter employee who brought my son a balloon). Regardless of the circumstances, to assault ANY person, of any age is illegal in this country. Maybe a smack or two to you would bring you to your senses.

I would have done the same. Better correct your kids now, when their bigger faux-pas is screaming in a supermarket and not when they are already criminals. If the lady couldn’t handle the situation, good for you, Mr. Stephens, for helping the poor stupid. And you forgot to slap her too, she deserves it more than the kid!!!

I have a 2 year old daughter and not only does she act like she has sense when we're out and about, I also do not let her out of my sight nor does she get the opportunity to run hog wild around any establishment. When my daughter gets overtired or cranky if necessary I will cut my trip short to keep from causing myself, her, and other further aggravation; if necessary, however the majority of the time we have a little one on one conversation with me looking her directly in the eyes and asking why she's acting out, how she's feeling, etc and me telling her that I understand and if she'd cooperate we'd be done in a minute and can go home or where ever else we need to go usually works.

Anyway, got off subject, while I by no means agree with what that man did and would probably have stomped his a** 6 ways from Sunday, I can say I relate to what he must have been feeling and the aggravation. Nothing is worse than watching people who seem to be totally oblivious to their ill mannered little heathens; I'm talking running into you, knocking stuff down, screaming, crying, and all the while mommy is in her own world. My thing though is it doesn't make me want to slap the child to get them to quiet down, it makes me want to knock the sh*t out of the supposed parent(s). These are the formative years people and if you haven't taught your child(ren) right from wrong, manners, etc by now then you are the real reason to blame when later down the line they become murders, criminals, drop outs, gang bangers, drug dealers, and the like; hell what do you expect when you don't teach them any better? And no offense but as I said if you miss the formative years good luck, because by the time they have past it's hard trying to get someone to listen to you when they never did before, to show respect when they don't even know what it is, not to mention the older they get the bigger they get and you raise them not to care not to respect then watch out because when they get sick of listening to you or you make the mistake of thinking you can hit them or punish them in some way and you get to learn the hard way how it feels to be handled physically by your own child!!

Just remember that while it may be true that you cannot be fully blamed for the actions of others, that people learn by example, rules are made for a reason, and you can't expect everyone to raise your child for you especially if you're the type who if someone does try to discipline them you want to show your ignorance and try to start a confrontation with them.

Sorry for the long post I guess I just wanted to remind everyone of why America and the world in general is going to Hell in a Handbasket.....people forgot how to be role models and parents!!

Oh and for those so quick to jump to the defense of the mother and to make excuses for the child's behavior....just further supports why society is as screwed as it is now. I mentioned that I myself have a 2 year old, and she knows how to act in public, she knows when mommy says
behave or mommy says her first and middle name it's time to calm down...come on people it's not rocket science and 2 year old are not as dumb as you'd like to pretend!! But as I said it's not at this age the child's fault the blame can pretty much be placed on the parents and other role models that are around the child, because at 2 children are still more like parrots they imitate what they see. So all these little banshees and heathens that seriously make me think twice about some people getting sterilized just need look at themselves for a place to place the blame, you taught your child this, you are passing this on for them to pass on, and trying to reason or lie to yourself about them only being 2, them crying because that's what they do, there's nothing you can do about it is just a bunch of bull to make yourself feel better!
-Remember children even as young as 2 are not idiots they know how to behave they know right from wrong if they've actually been around it. -Yes, babies, toddlers, and small children will and are going to cry at some point when your in the store, that's a given, but why should the rest of us have to put up with it???

Oh and why should the people disturbed by the ruckus be the ones who should leave, isn't that a little backwards? When there is a disturbance of the peace, the cops come and usually haul off the person causing the disturbance or at least get them to stop with it, so how is it any difference in this case? Shouldn't the parent(s) with the crying, screaming, etc child(ren) be the one that should leave? Oh and please don't give me that bull about the only time you have to go to the store or something else similar because I'm a divorced, working mother that can barely afford day care during the week so I couldn't even imagine using a daycare just so I can do peaceful shopping, so I do what I can when I can.

And before too many of you leave in a huff,chew on this; while it was hypocritical for posters to say that others should leave versus the source of the problem, I don't only say that because in all actuality it is the decent fair thing, but because if a guy has already went up and slapped a 2 year old what do you think some other lunatic might do, hell they do a lot more for less severe things these days!!?

Just a thought.

debbie12, I had to make an account just to rebuttle what you said about not blaming this man for even touching this child. Children are children. Sometimes they throw temper tantrums and you have to let them play it out so they know no attention will come if they do it again in a store as the child is trying to condition the parent into getting their way by means of throwing an embarassing fit for not getting what they want at the store. The mother was right in letting the child throw her fit and not paying attention to it so the child would not get a reaction out of the parent and not try and do it more often in the future. This man just gave the child attention and the child will most likely throw another tantrum because of the attention she got because of this situation now in the media and everyone else involved. This child may have learned, that hey if I throw a tantrum, someone might slap me, but I'll get what I want, plus attention that comes with it, and expect this huge dramatic situation where everyone is surrounding the child with comfort and apologies, etc.

I think we all would like to be able to quiet a screaming child at one point or another but that was just outragious. Maybe next time he could just try another line to checkout.

debbie12, I had to make an account just to rebuttle what you said about not blaming this man for even touching this child. Children are children. Sometimes they throw temper tantrums and you have to let them play it out so they know no attention will come if they do it again in a store as the child is trying to condition the parent into getting their way by means of throwing an embarassing fit for not getting what they want at the store. The mother was right in letting the child throw her fit and not paying attention to it so the child would not get a reaction out of the parent and not try and do it more often in the future. This man just gave the child attention and the child will most likely throw another tantrum because of the attention she got because of this situation now in the media and everyone else involved. This child may have learned, that hey if I throw a tantrum, someone might slap me, but I'll get what I want, plus attention that comes with it, and expect this huge dramatic situation where everyone is surrounding the child with comfort and apologies, etc.

I am the only one to disipline my children. My children were pretty well behaved. But get a grip,sometimes two year olds cry. It happens. Iv'e had to leave a Wal-Mart with my crying child before. Lets face it maybe she should have left too, but she didn"t as grown ups, we can handle it. That guy would have been sorry for touching my kid. On the flip side I was told by an old woman that she was going to call the police because I swatted my son on his diapered butt (he's now 18) and still a pain in the butt. I told her to wait her turn, she was next. She left the store and did not return. So People mind your own business unless it is abuse.

I would have hit him with a football tackle toppling over shelving then I would have beat him in his face till he quit moving or security showed up.Punks like that are truly truly lucky that doesn't happen when I'm around I would show no mercy.

I would have hit him with a football tackle toppling over shelving then I would have beat him in his face till he quit moving or security showed up.Punks like that are truly truly lucky that doesn't happen when I'm around I would show no mercy.

I DONT BLAME HIM. HOW LONG THE CHILD BEEN CRYING AND DID MOM TRIED TO QUIET THE CHILD OR DID SHE IGNORE THE CHILD. THE OLD MAN SNAP. HOW MANY OF US WANT TO DO THAT TO THE KIDS WHO ARE SCREAMING, HOLLERING, OR RUNNING THROUGH THE STORE AND THE PARENTS AREN'T SAYING ANYTHING. ALOT OF PARENTS IGNORE THEIR KIDS BEHAVIOR AND GO ABOUT SHOPPING. WE DON'T KNOW WHY HE SNAP. I WENT INTO A CLOTHING STORE AND THE KIDS WERE KICKING A SOCCER BALL WHILE MOM SHOP. NEITHER MOM OR SALE CLERKS SAID ANYTHING TO THE KIDS.

Debbie, this is not about kids kicking a soccer ball. Years ago, my two year old tried to manipulate me in stores by screaming and crying but I didn't fall for it. I spoke softly telling him to stop, that I didn't like his behavior, and when he was ready to talk I would listen. I didn't look him eye to eye too often - not even to give a grimancing stare. When his tantrum was over, I rewarded him by talking lovingly to him, telling him that's not a good way to get what he wanted and then I gave him a big hug and kiss. He didn't get the item he was screaming for and he learned to use words and exercise patience instead of resulting to tantrums. He's only thrown 4 tantrums his entire life. He learned from the process. It takes patience. Good parenting requires patience. If you don't like kids screaming in the store, too darn bad! I don't like it either. All children WILL act up in the store. Get used to it!

yes- it was wrong of him to hit the child-

everyone is saying that he could have left the store if he didn't like the screaming child- what about the mother of the child? a few years back- the mother would have left the area with a screaming child, to calm it down, and go back later- so why couldn't she leave the store?? he has as much of a right to be there that she does.

but if he said something to the mom first- and she did nothing to stop it before it happened---and she did not do anything about it, all the blame can't be put on him. it is partially her fault- she was probably tired of hearing her kid screamed too !! but it is her parent duties to protect her child- especially after a threat.

i have been in restaurants where kids are sitting in a booth behind me, with their dirty, sticky hands- grab my hair-yank on it. i have asked the parents to control/stop their kids-- and the parents just plain don't do anything about it. one time i had a father tell me- make me !! well, i contacted the restaurant manager, and he told the people either control your kids, or leave !!! another time- kids were at a buffet, and grabbing everything on the buffet- the restaurant had to take everything off of the buffet, put new food out- and the parents were asked to control their kids too, and they didn't. another time a 2 year old girl- had an adult sized coke in her hands- parents were ignoring her- she spilled the coke all over my good seude jacket- but yet the parents tried to blame me for her spilling it on me- their reason, that i should not have worn such a good jacket in a public place!! the restaurant ended up having to pay to have it dry clean.

kids- they seem to control their parents, or the parents are just trying to push others to do something- so they could sue the other person.

at a parking lot- normally if you see a car backing out- don't you usually stop- especially since they were backing out before you came to the car? yes- you stop!! but i have had people with kids tell me- hit me, hit me- if you do, i will sue you !! what do you think their kids are learning???

not all parents are like this. we weren't overly strick with our boys when they were growing up- but they have learned to respect others. yes- if someone had hit our boys at 2 years old- i would have beat the s@@t out of him, and then called the police- but if there was a threat 1st, i would have contacted security, store manager, and left without buying my stuff.

corvettekaren......Thanks for your wonderful thoughts...another, sane "normal" parent....

The man should be punished, but someone needs to intervene for the child. Children cry for a reason and the mom should have tried to find out what was wrong and tried to quiet her. It is still true that parents need to learn how to care for children before they have any.
It disturbs me, too, to have to hear a child in distress, but I would have tried offering the mom a solution to the problem without causing offence or harming the child.

I wouldn't have done anything to the child, since it was not my own, however; I do understand his frustrations. To many parents do not have any control over their children, and are afraid to disipline them. I have seen many times in a store where the children run the show. I do not beleive it is ok to let your kids run around screaming, and doing whatever they want to do. It is rude, and disrespectful to others. I have also seen people bring their child into a movie theater, and let their child scream through the movie, where people have paid the astronomical prices for the movie, and food only to be ruined by someones screaming child. I have seen the comments on here that if the man didn't like it he could leave the store. While I don't agree with him touching the child, he shouldn't have to listen to someones child screaming, and throwing a tantrum. Why didn't the mother take her child to the side , and take care of the situation. She as well could have left the store. Yes, I have children. My children are respectful, and do not throw tantrums out in public, nor do they run the show. I am the adult, and I run the show. My children are not abused, and beat, but they have been disiplined at an early age by various methods, which include a swat on the behind when needed. Point given, if you disipline your child when needed, and teach them right from wrong, teach them values, respect, and show them how to act then your children will not be the scene of attention out in public. With all that said, however; no one has the right to touch your child, even if they are being a little monster.

I have been reading the comments left on this web page and I agree with most of them... I would not allow any body lay a hand on my children... I find that the actions taken were a out of line by the man and appalled by it… but, lets look at it from my perspective where I had three incidents happen with my daughter's mother... my daughter's mother has a no contact order with my family and daughter due to her lifestyle and addiction problems of her own... the first incident happened when my daughter was spending time with my mom one weekend and my daughter's mother successfully kidnapped my daughter and ran... the police caught up to the mother but I had to prove the police that I had custody... in the courts eyes it turned out to be custodial interference from the outcome of this incident... then a few months later, my daughter's mother approached my mom in a local Wal-mart and physically abused my mother by pushing a cart into my mom.. after the incident my mother had bruises all over her legs and a police report and photo's of what happened and my daughter's mother just received a fine and a no contact order with my mom... and this last incident... my daughter's mother made yet another attempt to kidnap my daughter and this time I was present... the police showed up and arrested my daughter's mom and nothing is happening to her legally... where is the justice in that... all that I mentioned is factual and I even have a video of one of the incidents where she made the attempt to kidnap my daughter... now, if I did all this to the mother... I am a bad man... I would be just getting out of jail for the first incident and charge with kidnapping, child abuse, abuse to the mother and many more charges... but the mother only received a fine and that is it... in the second attempt if I approached my daughter's grandmother and threatened her I would be charged yet again with abuse and probably many more charges... and with this last attempt with the my daughter's mother I would be charged with more abuse and sent to prison for making the attempt to kidnap my daughter... that's not to mention the false documentations of changing the birth certificate and social security card among other documents to keep telling lies to the courts... I thought committing perjury in court was a crime but I have gone through 5 different courts with my daughter's mother and she has lied and has false documentations from the birth certificate to even the social security card being change... now as a father I can't even change the birth certificate and the social security is still doing an investigation... now, if I did this as a man... I would be charged with even more from both the State and Federal and charge with perjury in all these courts.... WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? My daughter keeps asking me, "Why does that lady always try to take me dad?" and i have to explain to her that she is safe and i will protect her...

Are you serious? WTF does any of your idiotic rambling have to do with this story. You are a moron.

Shut up nimrod what the hell does that have to do with this story. You judt told the whole world this for nothing. No one cares.

Some kids need to be disiplined, and their "so called parents" refuse to do it. I was at walmart last week when a little girl about 4 years old thru a tantrum because she wanted something, she screamed and screamed, then squated on the floor, and pissed all over the place. The mother looked at her and said " here is your toy, now get in the cart." I was appauled. Kids get away with way to much these days.

As the mom of an infant and toddler if this man had slapped my child the police would have to pry me off him because I would beat the #@*! out of him! How DARE any adult lay a hand on ANY child for ANY reason!? Anyone who defends his actions is just as nuts as he and should go and start their own child free society somewhere. Newsflash to those of you without small children....they sometimes cry....and sometimes even in public! They are CHILDREN!! Not an adult who can CONTROL themselves and their emotions! We parents try to calm/decipline our children, but we cannot leave every public place as soon as the first tear or "no!" as we would never get anything done.

Note to Jennifer & Alison - please do NOT become parents. "Screaming children in public places is wrong". ???? "anything short of slapping the child". ??? Please check into reality and like other mom poster said - shop after 8PM when said children are all in bed and won't offend you and your sensabilities.

Mother_of_5 - god help your kids. "my children know their place". ??? There's dicipline and there's control & fear. Overbearing/strict parenting is no better than overly lax parenting.

From a mom, who protects her kids with her life, I would have given him an old fashion country ass whippin. After I got through with him, he wouldn't ever even think about touching another child. No body touches my babies, period.

HOW LONG THIS CHILD BE CRYING. DID THE MOTHER DO ANYTHING TO GET THE CHILD TO BE QUIET. THE MAN SNAP. I DON'T BLAME HIM. HE DID SOMETHING A LOT OF US LIKE TO DO. HOW MANY OF US WENT SHOPPING AND PEOPLE LET THEIR KIDS RUN THROW THE STORE OR ACT LIKE THE STORE IS A PLAYGROUND. I WENT TO A CLOTHING STORE AND THE KIDS WERE PLAYING WITH THEIR SOCCER BALL KICKING THE BALL TO EACH OTHER. MOM RIGHT THERE AND DIDN'T SAY A WORD. NEITHER DID THE STORE CLERK.

Not only would I have beaten this man within an inch of his life after he suggested he would harm my child, but I would drag his tattered old carcass to Shelley's house and let her implement her two year old day care plan except with more honey, ants, and a kick an old geezer in the face contest (similar to field day)(

How about "control your kid"? My mother could take me & my little sister anywhere, and be confident that we would not annoy other people. She'd NEVER have taken a "some things just can't be helped" attitude. If we HAD started to bother other people, she'd have taken us out of the store.

Not that slapping someone else's child 5 times is appropriate, either.

If you cannot control your child DO NOT take the child to a public it's as bad as these cell phone people talking so loud about what they did in the bathroom an hour ago. People have forgotten what common sense is. Or at least being polite, I don't condone what he did but I have thought about it many times, people are just toorude and they are teaching their children to be the same. The store should have stepped in and asked the woman to keep her child from disturbing other customers or remove her from the store.

WOW. There has been times that I was annoyed by a crying child, but I would have NEVER even touught about correcting the child. It is up to the child's parents and no one else. I guess I would have gone to jail for whipping the mans butt for putting his hands on my child.

if a stranger slapped my kid , he would not need the police ,, they would be talking to him at the nearest hospital,, thats were he would be for awhile.

I'm just glad it wasn't my child because I would have been the one in jail....can we say crime of passion? I know kids cry and yes, mine get on my last nerve at times but you never slap a child in the face...not your own and definately not anyone else's. I say throw away the damn keys and I hope she sues him on top of it.

Although hitting a child is never acceptable, I do find that more and more parents take the "I don't give a crap" attitude when it comes to their children. Have some common courtesy for the other people around you. Whether it's an "excuse me" when you walk in front of someone looking at somthing, bump into them or your child is screaming for a toy they can't have. No one has common courtesy for anyone else anymore. Your not the only one on the planet. A sincere apology for the crying child probably would have went a long way. But he should have never touched the child and he deserves what he has coming to him.

It walmarts fault. They have to much stiulation for kids and adults and it gets e verybody on edge. It was only a matter of time till it happens.

Is very obvious that this woman didn't know how to handle the situation, if she did she would done the right thing, 1 to protect her child and 2 see why her child was crying. Instead she ignored the situation, is only her fault that that old man did what he did, because she was unable to handle the situation. I don't know the age of this woman and if this is her first child but i would advise her to seek help on how to handle and take care children, if they misbehave is because we allowed them to do so.
There is a proper way to handle a crying child and hitting is not 1 of them.
Im not justifiing the old man for what he did, but im upset to the fact that he mother did nothing either to control her child or protect her.

In reference to what "mother of 5" said. What does a child crying have to do with controlling your child. You can have as much control as you want children have the right to cry. I would love to know what the mother did after her child was spank by a complete stranger. If it was me they would've been serious bloodshed in that walmart.

Mother of 5............you don't sound fit to raise children, Is this man your father? I would have verbally attacked the man for even approaching me, which hopefully would have detoured to situation.

As mother of four, that man would probably have left Walmart on a stretcher. Kids will be kids and sometimes they cry and throw fits--if you don't want to hear it then you also have the option of leaving the store--why does everyone expect the mother to remove the child? Is everyone so self absorbed that they really believe that Earth evolves around them and a parent should rush a screaming child out of the store so as not to offend anyone? I would love to slap that man four times---and maybe get his mind right

I don't think it's right to hit children. Parents need to take children a couple of toys to the store with them or book or teathers or something. You can't just walk around and ignore your child. They just get louder, and wait to see how it will affect you. I see alot of crying children, but I would never hit one and it upsets me sometimes when the parent will just shake them and be mean and drag them about. I can't believe a person would ever even think about doing that, I 'm still wondering what he said to the judge about that.

OK, this idiot was WRONG ! Someone should have knocked him on his butt. However where is the responsible parent in this mess. Why should other shoppers be subjected to this out of control child whose "parent?" will not, cannot or does not know how to control their child? Where were the store manager or employees to ask the woman to calm the child or come back another time when the child was behaving better? Are they so afraid of offending someone that they would allow an entire store to be disrupted? Wal-Mart owns some responsibility for allowing this to get to the point it did. To many I realize my taking a position, which might be deemed as defending this man, is dead wrong. But rather my point is the inconsiderate, or ill equipped parent, and the store employees are also at fault. Once again, the guy should be locked up. As for the store if they do not care enough about the other shoppers then I would take my business someplace where they are concerned for the greater number of customers.

Fine...I'll say it...I would have dragged the mean old SOB off to hardware, grabbed a hammer, started at his feet and worked my way up pausing at each joint and major muscle group until i got tired...or until the applause and cheering from the other shoppers began to distract me.

I would have kicked his butt. Then again, my kid wouldn't have been acting up either.

i would have beat the hell out of that man. Plain and simple

I would have slapped that dye right out of his hair and his false teeth too.

I would have slapped the hair dye right ouy of his hair,and maybe some false teeth too.

I have an 11 month old son that was very pre-mature at the time of his birth. He is so important to me that it sometimes suprises me. I used to be a "hard-ass" before this boy came into mine and my wifes life. I know that peopel can change if they decide to. What this man did was just evil. And though it's not right, I would have to beat the shit out of that bastard. It was a defenceless child that an adult like him should protect.

I would have beat the living crap out of that guy if he laid a hand on my daughter.

I would have given this guy a piece of my mind when he came over and threatened my child in the first place. I would have immediately contacted the store manager and police when he threatened us. Then I would have made sure my child was protected after being threatened. Then if he did anything to my child they would have had to pry my butt off of him kicking and hitting him with everything in me until the police got there to arrest us both I'm sure. I imagine with my adrenaline rush I would have given him a royal butt kicking!! Then my husband and my father would have caught up to him when he made it home from jail later that night to give him another butt kicking to make him wish he was never born!!! And to all of the people out there blaming the mother of the child.....you were probably a BRAT when you were a kid. Get real!!! No one hits a child. What world are you Living in? Children cry, get over it! YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO REMOVE YOUR BUTT FROM THE STORE IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT!!!!

This is what I would do now....If it were my child he slapped, I would be sure to make EVERY court appearance and then I would ask the judge to please NOT sentence him to any jail time. I think I would ask that he be sentenced to 90 DAYS OF BEING CHAINED TO A CHAIR AT A DAY CARE IN A ROOM FULL OF 2 YEAR OLDS. HIS HANDS SHOULD BE BEHIND HIS BACK AND HIS LEGS CHAINED TOGETHER AND TO THE CHAIR, THAT WOULD MAKE HIM HELPLESS, LIKE THAT LITTLE ONE HE SLAPPED WAS AGAINST HIM. THEN HOW ABOUT 90 DAYS THE SAME WAY IN A WAITING ROOM AT A PEDIATRICIANS OFFICE...LOTS OF SICK CRYING BABIES THERE. SUNDAY AT CHURCH....YOU GOT IT, A YEAR OF SUNDAYS IN THE CRY ROOM, UNABLE TO MOVE.

The man would not have been allowed close enough to my child to hit her. Why did't the mother position herself between the man and her child? That is what any normal person would have done or instantly rush off with the child. Screaming kids in public places is wrong, but parents don't seem to understand this. This man was wrong as well and needs to be punished to the full extint of the law.

What would I do? Dangle my keys to distract the child; chat with the mom for a moment so the tantrum having toddler more quickly realizes the tantrum isn't working, or perhaps gets curious and quiets to listen; maybe address the child directly with an engaging question, "How old are you? Are you Two??" Pretty much anything but strike the child. I suppose we should be glad the curmudgeon didn't Shake the child.

Kids cry, they get cranky and as a mother of 5 myself...I would have done the same thing this mother did. Go about my merry way to shop, trying to console my child, but somethings just can't be helped. If I needed something at the store, any store, and with the chances that one of my 5 kids were upset and crying, I'd still do what I had to do; otherwise I'd never be able to get to the store. If a person, male or female, took it upon themselves to discipline any of my children...you bet I'd be pressing charges! Go Wal-Mart mom!!! People who don't want to "deal" with cranky kids should alter their schedules to shop to a time of day when the kids should be in bed. Go shopping after 8 pm. Most parents I know have already done their daily routine by then.

It is our responsability as parents to teach our children manners and how to behave, yes children cry and get cranky but this is just a poor excuse to let them get away with whatever is they want, if you child is sick and crying and you at the store shopping, i suggest you stay home and take care that child.
It is not fair that we should adjust our "shopping schedulle" just cause some parent out there don't know how to raise their children and use a little discipline which dosn't necessarily have to involve hitting.
If you can't handle or take care more than 1 child my advise is "don't have anymore".
Why the rest of us have to put up with unfit parents?
Do us all a yourself a favor and learn some parents thecniques in raising your children before you take them out there.

Mother of 2, finally another post of a rationale parent! Need more of them around the country like you! If your like me, you find the best time possible to go out and about with your kids, after naps, etc. If where lucky, leave em at home for a nice mental health break! Everybody needs a get away time...but I find that when I go out to get some air, I run into yelling, screaming, fussing kids, older ones too. And their parents...totally, totally ignorant to what is going on! Can't you see your childs ugly behavior wearing on peoples nerves? lol Im a happy mother, love my kids, wanted my kids, I drive home, so happy they are mine...cause I just experienced some of the worse behaved "parents", I have ever seen! Come on Mom and Dad....set some basic ground rules, it starts before they walk....trust me, it makes the teen years a heck of alot easier!

probably knock the crap out of the old geezer

it was non of the guys business. if he didnt want to hear a two year old (baby) cry. he should have moved on and mind his own business. Had I saw him do this, I would have slapped him so hard his head would spin. He didnt even know the reason of the kid crying. I sure hope he doesnt have grandkids. and he must've been abusive to is own if he had any. I would have got him told even had he told me to quiet my kid.. he wouldnt have got out of he store had he did this to the wrong parent to put a fist in is mouth..

I would kick his ass!

Kids cry, they get cranky and as a mother of 5 myself...I would have done the same thing this mother did. Go about my merry way to shop, trying to console my child, but somethings just can't be helped. If I needed something at the store, any store, and with the chances that one of my 5 kids were upset and crying, I'd still do what I had to do; otherwise I'd never be able to get to the store. If a person, male or female, took it upon themselves to discipline any of my children...you bet I'd be pressing charges! Go Wal-Mart mom!!! People who don't want to "deal" with cranky kids should alter their schedules to shop to a time of day when the kids should be in bed. Go shopping after 8 pm. Most parents I know have already done their daily routine by then.

I know even if I knew the Mother I wouldn't have slapped the child. I definately would of hurt the man if he had slapped my 2 year old child.

Parents don't have control of their kids anymore.....clearly. I have 5 small children, and set clear rules and guidelines before they could walk. I can take them anywhere...... Something to be said when my 4 year old child can see an 8 year old child out of line....where the parent no longer has control....parents today are lazy, wanna be your childs friend, not the parent. Country is in a sad state.....where children no longer are that, they run the home. NOT my house, Im still the parent, and my children know thier place.

Finally , this is the most possitive comment i've read so far.
I totally agree with you about parents letting their kids control them.
Im so glad that there are still good parents with skills out there, that know how to take control. I congratulate you for a job well done and even though is not over (i don't think it would ever be) i only wish the best for you all
You set a good example for all those unfit parents out there..

Mother of 5 doesn't sound fit to raise child. Maybe a drill sargent not a mom. You can not blame her parenting for this. I would of kicked the shit out of him personally.

Regardless of what your belief is on the state of parenting in america I would say you would hopefully be just as upset had a stranger came up to u and threatened your child. What the child was doing is a mute point, the fact that this person didn't agree with what the child was doing, that the child was doing nothing harmful to anyone nor anything illegal or dangerous, he took it upon himself to threaten them then cause bodily harm that i'm sure will have mental ramifications. She's two, a strange man slaps her in the face, what could possibley be going on in her mind now? Your reply makes it seem like you believe that if a parent isn't doing what u think is right then it's ok to take the parenting of that child into your own hands. Perhaps i'm not understanding the point u were trying to make in regards to the article. I have two daughters that i've never slapped in the face and i'll be damned if anyone else will do it. With a statistic of 1 in 3 girls in america will be abused in some way what kind of message does a strange man assaulting them at such an young age send to her. This isn't about parenting, it's about a man assaulting a toddler.

In today's world parent's can not control their kids because the US goverment interfers with everything in a persons life!! You better not even touch your child or the goverment will arrest you for child abuse!! As for as clear guidelines not all children are the same.Alot will listen but when they do not what can you do; time outs are a joke,taking something away will work for some but not all,can not yell at them that is child abuse,can't spake them again child abuse,can not make them go to their room again child abuse. So in the US today what can you do??

coldfeet you seriously need to go to a parenting class, you need to know how to talk to your children, you'll be surprise how much this could help, if you know what to say and how and when to say it to your children it wouldn't be that dificult. Children are honest and inocent and even though they get angry and sometimes you can't reason with them they still would listen to you if you use the right approach. No, yelling is not the answer, neither is spanking and time outs only works for toddlers. I don't know how old you children are, but try raising teenagers lol.
I only wish you the best luck with you children and hope you find the right way to guide them throught this rough path we all have to walk in this world.
remember you are their role model, and you teach them with your actions not with your words!

OMG I would have whipped his @#$

OMG I have heard it all.. I would have whipped his behind...

I would of whipped his ass until my fists turned blue, I dont care how old his ass was. Him Hitting my child gets me pissed just thinking about it.

I would have whipped his ass on the spot laying a hand on my child, I dont care if my child was crying, thats an insult. again I would of whipped his ass till my fists were blue.

ok fine...I'll say it...i would have dragged the old SOB off to hardware, grabbed a hammer and started on his feet and worked my way up each major joint or muscle group until i got tired...or until the applause from the other shoppers started to distract me.

Who cares what kind of mother this lady is - in no way shape or form was this man justified in hitting someone else's child!!!!! For all you know, she could be a single parent, with no nearby family and the baby could've been sick and in need of some Tylenol. What is she supposed to do? Stay at home and not get her child some medicine for fear that she may disturb someone at the store. NO! You go get your baby the medicine.
All I've read on here, are people's biased opinions about what they think happened, or how they think she is raising her child without discipline and letting her child run buckwild around the store. I'm the mother of an 11 y/o and a 2 y/o and six months pregnant with the third. My children are very well behaved but sometimes things happen. For God's sakes, that child is two. Two year olds aren't capable of expressing their feelings as well as adults. She could've pinched her finger on the shopping cart, scratched her leg or got bit by a bug - just because she was crying in the store doesn't mean she was throwing a temper tantrum. She could've been well rested and fed and became irritable because of the long lines in Walmart - Lord knows I get irritated. If this man is that impatient, sounds like he has to learn some social skills. Does that mean he's justified in slapping someone's smart-mouth teen? No. He either needs to get over himself or stay home. That's one of the pitfalls of going out in public. You get to deal with all kinds of people. You may not like everyone and you may not agree with everyone's lifestyles, but its just something you have to deal with. I'm sorry, but my husband goes on business trips sometimes and if I have to go to the store, I'm going to go. If ANYONE threatened, let alone put hands on my child, I would go ballistic and I would be the one who ended up in jail - six months pregnant or not.