__________________

Unless she was really beating the child (which it does not sound like) this is rediculous (sp?)

I agree that lots of times now, parents are afraid to parent, then people complain if they can't control their children! It is a no win situation.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

__________________
"Anybody who believes the pen is mightier than the sword hasn't been inside a maximum security prison." ~ Lisa Scottoline

wow if that was the case, my dad would have stayed in jail. Because if we did something wrong, we knew we were going to get it. Even in school, if we got into trouble we got it again when we got home and he found out.

Knowing that, made you want to stay out of trouble.

__________________

Exactly!

__________________
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. -Elbert Hubbard

Holding her head to her chest to "calm her" and "patting her on the butt" at the same time? It honestly sounds to me like a mom who has a lot on her plate and lost her cool. Too bad someone couldn't step in and try to help..but if it was a number of witnesses, she may have been excessive. The baby is only 2. One reason I prefer to keep mine out of crowded places where my son would have meltdowns if there were too many people and loud noise. I knew his limitations. And mine.

__________________
Make someone's heart smile today.

I don't like spanking but I have felt like doing a few times when we were not home for time out. I quickly have to think of another consequence for their actions. Two year olds are difficult because you have very little options. When we were at Dutch Wonderland, my two year old had several meltdowns. She was hot and tired. I just held her and tried to calm her down. I knew it was my fault she was uncomfortable and acting out.

My girls are usually good at the store but that is because I make sure they are well fed and rested. I feel bad for children that have been set up for failure and then disappoint their parents.

I was going to stay out of this one, but since no one has shown another point of view...

I do not advocate spanking at all and don't have a problem with someone being cited for this at all.

The witnesses described it as "slamming her on the ground" If she were doing that don't you think she would have some sort of injury? Sounds to me like they exaggerated.

I agree, the cops would have found some injury if she was doing what they suggested. And if you can't imagine a mom holding a child to her chest to keep her from running off, than you have never had a child throw a fit like that, and felt how strong those little toddlers can be when they want something. So if all she did was (I wasn't there, so I can't be sure) hold her child to her chest and swat her butt lightly, then it is no business of anyone else. It is possible her child was tired, and should not have been out, but I don't know that either.

__________________
I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882