by Kyle Carpenter

Created on: July 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

This is a difficult question. The only way to give a proper response is to weigh all the issues involved. One issue is: Are you related? If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, soon to be stepparent, then I think it is your duty to discipline (as long as it does not interfere with the parent). Too many time there are situations where family sits a watch a child be "naughty", then say nothing to the child, yet turn around and discuss with other the behavioral shortfalls of the same child. If you think the child is doing something wrong step up and say something.

What possesses someone to complain about a problem but do nothing in attempt to help. Another issue would be: Are you on good terms with the parent? If you are a family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague once again I believe it is your duty to set in and aid in righting the behavioral wrong of a child. I can't count how many time friends have just sat there watching a child do something wrong and then discuss it at a much later time with the parents. What good does that do? Telling a parent several minutes, hours, or even days later is only going to tick the parents off. Another important issue is: Does it effect me (or my child)?

I don't care if you are a stranger no one knows, if you are directly and negatively effected, I believe it is in your right to say something. If, on the other hand, you don't feel comfortable saying something you can choose to speak with the parents or say nothing at all. If you choose not to say anything to anyone one who can fix the situation, you no longer have any right to whine, fuss, cry, gripe, or complain. If you choose to let it go, LET IT GO.

The most important issue I think is: Will it effect the health or well being of the child or anyone else? If you see a child doing something the could potentially harm them or anyone else, once again a believe it is your duty to say something and immediately. Doing nothing in these situations, I believe, makes you negligent. I think capable adults should be forced to show cause for doing nothing in a situation involving a minor that could result in the harm of that minor or anyone else. Now after reading all of this I do not suggest going about your lives looking for way you can raise other people's children. Parenting should be done by capable parents. Do not interfere with that, but don't sit on the sideline fussing about how "someone needs to get control of that child".

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