I was born in Nigeria and can tell anyone that when it comes to raising and disciplining kids, there is a community effort. A neighbor up the street could whoop your behind for getting into trouble. Then he/she would take you home to your parents who would then whoop you as well. Most Nigerians who went to primary school in Nigeria witnessed either their parents of the parents of a class mate come to school and spank their child in the presence of everyone. That happened to one boy in Primary 3 whose mother walloped him with a koboko she brought from home. It wasn't easy.
Anyway, I say all this to say that when I heard about this man who slapped someone else's child in a Walmart store, I was shocked! Common sense should have guided this individual to mind his business. However, since common sense is not that common, 61 year old Roger Stephens told a woman whose 2 year old baby was crying,
"If you don’t shut the baby up, I will shut her up for you.”
Then, he proceeded to slap the child 4 times, finally saying,
"See, I told you I would shut her up.”
Now, although I have wanted to discipline a couple snotty nosed, rude kids from time to time, I find it incredible that anyone would feel the need to slap a baby four times! And, a baby that is not his, nor related to him. Really, what is the world coming to? I mean, despite my Nigerian upbringing which helps one understand that ANYBODY can get into your business, this right here is pure madness!
Watch a clip of Roger "Slap a baby" Stephens -
What do you guys think? I have given permission to my friends and family to reasonably discipline my kids, but I know that if some random person hit my kids, I don't think my respect for the elderly would keep me from doing something ...
Now clearly, something was wrong with the man, because it is not possible for any right thinking person to do what he did and there is no excuse, even in Nigeria, i don't think anyone would slap another persons baby for doing what babies do, i.e cry!
In Nigeria its different because everyone kinda knows everyone....now herez a dude that does not even know the woman from adam...in my opinion that was just malicious of him....and dats just plain battery(erm...excuse my legal terms but as a lawyer u kno *cough cough* lol) And this is a two year old for pete's sake..abeg if i was the woman i would have slapped him from here to Australia...rubbish
LOL!! God forgive me but when i heard i thot it was hilarious. Then again i'm not on the receiving end. Before someone slaps my child- i for done slap am.
Though I am not condoning the man, I can see how he had had it up to high heaven and just reached out to silence the brat. Kids don't realise how annoying they can be when they are wailing or parents that won't keep them quiet...and I say that knowing that I was a quiet baby. Very well behaved.
this wouldn't even happen in Naija..a 2 yr old for God's sake, that everyone knows is called the 'terrible two'..no, no, no, no, it's just unthinkable.
a total stranger, for that matter, old age no de inside that matter o,
but come, the mother just stood by and watched her kid receive not one but four slaps?
ridiculous.....even in Nigeria, they wont slap you four times.....and how can kids know they are annoying? kids are exactly that kids, and as such the ways to discipline them at such a young age, is way different that you would a 5-7-9yr old kid....that was just plain wrong
That's definitely a case of discipline going too far — the child is only 2 years old and probably doesn't know any better! And it's definitely rude for someone to discipline your child without your permission.
I think discipline is important and necessary, but there is a way to do it without crossing over to being abusive.
Nobody has my permission to "disciple" any of my children on my behalf!
That man crossed his boundary when he hit that child! Is he sane?! I don't think so. No sane person will slap a child to make the child stop crying. Why could he not make funny faces or any other thing just to distract the child?
been following this fantastic blog for over a year without a comment but had to say my piece this time...
dis was outright wickedness and definitely not discipline! seems 2 me like a frustrated or possibly senile old man who took out his life woes on a baby...cos rly dats wat a 2year old kid is, a b.a.b.y.
pls even in naija where we r known for community discipline d man's action is not justifiable! (btw yet 2 meet any1 who likes community disciplinarians sef...dey r viewed as busy bodies!)
@Kpakpa: My question too. Where was the mother while ALL these was happening?
I am sure that even in Naija, the police would have been called to settle a case of 'two-fighting' because no right thinking Naija mother would allow ANYBODY - not even the father - to slap a baby 4 times! P-l-e-a-s-e!
I'm just shocked beyond words right now...I can only conclude that the man is NOT alright...but I wonder what the mum was doing...allowing the man to go up to 4 times? hmmmmm!
I saw that on CNN last week and initially I laughed. I mean the story is absurdly hilarious! See the man's face sef...he truly does look evil. It is obvious that his head no correct at all, at all!
mba oh, water don pass garri!!!!! which kain slap some random baby!!!!!! & 4 times too!!!!!!! if na me b d mama, kasala don burst so oh. serious one. see trouble! na u invite u 4 dis party?!
Wow! He must have been on heavy medication or something. And he was white!!!! WOW, lol, lol. That's unheard of. Well I'm surprised the parent didn't slap him back. I must say, that is a bit much, he went too far. I dont feel right spanking someone's child. Not talking about nieces and nephews.
You've been away from Nigeria for quite some time, let me tell you Nigerians no longer do that o.
Some people will even insult you for correcting their children these days (speaking from experiences a year and half back).
The man was definitely out of line there though, agreed, its annoying to see an unruly child and some store displays by so called babies 2-7 year olds show an unnecessary lack of discipline amd I say this because even at 2 years of age, some kids go look them mama face before whining.
But still, in America, even the mother would've been arrested for smacking the child in public and me gan sef I will not condone it.
I do get frustrated when parents can't control their kids though. Sometimes I intervene by asking the mother what's wrong or trying to engage the child in a conversation. Most times I just leave the vicinity if its too much to bear. If I am stuck in a situation where I cant't leave, like in a train or bus, I just "eye" them and sigh every two seconds...
He had no business slapping the kid, the child is afterall 2, and that's what they're expected to do, cry...even with family and friends....I'm kind of iffy with that disciplining a kid, just tell me and I'll handle the situation
I would've broken bottle on his head
P.S thanks Sydelle for the advice, I wash my hair twice a week, that's how annoying it is honestly, but I'll try the castor oil and the other things you recommended
nobody. i repeat no body has the right to slap someone elses baby once talk more of what?? thats terrible very bad hmm even in naija things r changing my little cousins dont get scolded by aunts, uncles, neighbours like i did why? because those days are gone everyone is minding their business now this man clearly has a problem and no its not the cries
I won't deny that sometimes I get frustrated when some kids display their unruly attitude and their parents turn a blind eye (especially in public) but this four slaps incident was too much especially as the child was not even under the man's care and in public (In a country where hitting is illegal). Talk about old age, guess the sound of the kids screams were driving him nuts!
38 Easier Comments. Add Yours!:
YAY!!! Am i really first?
Thank God for twitter!
Now clearly, something was wrong with the man, because it is not possible for any right thinking person to do what he did and there is no excuse, even in Nigeria, i don't think anyone would slap another persons baby for doing what babies do, i.e cry!
And im 2nd thanx to twitter too
In Nigeria its different because everyone kinda knows everyone....now herez a dude that does not even know the woman from adam...in my opinion that was just malicious of him....and dats just plain battery(erm...excuse my legal terms but as a lawyer u kno *cough cough* lol) And this is a two year old for pete's sake..abeg if i was the woman i would have slapped him from here to Australia...rubbish
He is a foolish old man
I think the guy has issues from the clip of him. Slap my 2 years old, four times? No thank you!
oh no that's just wrong! slapping a 2 years old that u don't know for crying? I think the man has gone crazy...
LOL!! God forgive me but when i heard i thot it was hilarious. Then again i'm not on the receiving end. Before someone slaps my child- i for done slap am.
And i woulda been right behind you with my mortar and pistel drinking the panadol for your headache.
He deserves watever is coming to him.....,
dont sound right oh....slap a 2 two year old 4 times ke???
even in naija u won't slap a two year old oh. A smack on the bottom one, but slap???
Though I am not condoning the man, I can see how he had had it up to high heaven and just reached out to silence the brat. Kids don't realise how annoying they can be when they are wailing or parents that won't keep them quiet...and I say that knowing that I was a quiet baby. Very well behaved.
this wouldn't even happen in Naija..a 2 yr old for God's sake, that everyone knows is called the 'terrible two'..no, no, no, no, it's just unthinkable.
a total stranger, for that matter, old age no de inside that matter o,
but come, the mother just stood by and watched her kid receive not one but four slaps?
ridiculous.....even in Nigeria, they wont slap you four times.....and how can kids know they are annoying? kids are exactly that kids, and as such the ways to discipline them at such a young age, is way different that you would a 5-7-9yr old kid....that was just plain wrong
That's definitely a case of discipline going too far — the child is only 2 years old and probably doesn't know any better! And it's definitely rude for someone to discipline your child without your permission.
I think discipline is important and necessary, but there is a way to do it without crossing over to being abusive.
GNG
That is not funny, not fair and not acceptable...*sigh*
What????!!!! I no go gree!
Nobody has my permission to "disciple" any of my children on my behalf!
That man crossed his boundary when he hit that child! Is he sane?! I don't think so. No sane person will slap a child to make the child stop crying. Why could he not make funny faces or any other thing just to distract the child?
I hope the woman would press charges.
What? Thats just ridiculous! I mean, that is ABUSE!
The man probably had some psychological defect - anger issues, etc. Cos that makes no sense whatsoever. Abuse, definitely, but he needs to be checked.
How are you Mama TE? You good? Omo school nko?
That is serious abuse, even in naija, no one dares slap a two year old once not now talk of four times.
The guy must have issues
uh-uh, no way! Not allowed!
No stranger is allowed to spank my child (let alone slap) for any reason!
been following this fantastic blog for over a year without a comment but had to say my piece this time...
dis was outright wickedness and definitely not discipline! seems 2 me like a frustrated or possibly senile old man who took out his life woes on a baby...cos rly dats wat a 2year old kid is, a b.a.b.y.
pls even in naija where we r known for community discipline d man's action is not justifiable! (btw yet 2 meet any1 who likes community disciplinarians sef...dey r viewed as busy bodies!)
But was the mother when her child was slapped the second, the third and the fourth times?
@Kpakpa: My question too. Where was the mother while ALL these was happening?
I am sure that even in Naija, the police would have been called to settle a case of 'two-fighting' because no right thinking Naija mother would allow ANYBODY - not even the father - to slap a baby 4 times! P-l-e-a-s-e!
The guy must be mad. or maybe just borderline.
@Catwalq: Tell us THAT story!
I have a 2 year old and they do try you BUT slap? seriously?!
He wouldn't have gotten to the first slap with me, much less 4.. The minute he stepped to me, my isale eko-ness would have scared him off.
what nonsense!!
anyways, how have u been? :-)
Thats crap..can u imagine dat?
I'm just shocked beyond words right now...I can only conclude that the man is NOT alright...but I wonder what the mum was doing...allowing the man to go up to 4 times? hmmmmm!
I saw that on CNN last week and initially I laughed. I mean the story is absurdly hilarious! See the man's face sef...he truly does look evil. It is obvious that his head no correct at all, at all!
mba oh, water don pass garri!!!!! which kain slap some random baby!!!!!! & 4 times too!!!!!!! if na me b d mama, kasala don burst so oh. serious one. see trouble! na u invite u 4 dis party?!
Wow! He must have been on heavy medication or something. And he was white!!!! WOW, lol, lol. That's unheard of. Well I'm surprised the parent didn't slap him back. I must say, that is a bit much, he went too far. I dont feel right spanking someone's child. Not talking about nieces and nephews.
As for for all that whooping.. i turned out alright so that's good.
You've been away from Nigeria for quite some time, let me tell you Nigerians no longer do that o.
Some people will even insult you for correcting their children these days (speaking from experiences a year and half back).
The man was definitely out of line there though, agreed, its annoying to see an unruly child and some store displays by so called babies 2-7 year olds show an unnecessary lack of discipline amd I say this because even at 2 years of age, some kids go look them mama face before whining.
But still, in America, even the mother would've been arrested for smacking the child in public and me gan sef I will not condone it.
I do get frustrated when parents can't control their kids though. Sometimes I intervene by asking the mother what's wrong or trying to engage the child in a conversation. Most times I just leave the vicinity if its too much to bear. If I am stuck in a situation where I cant't leave, like in a train or bus, I just "eye" them and sigh every two seconds...
There is nothing that will make me believe the guy is sane.
Heard about this. Madness I tell you. If that were my child, that man won't live to be sued by me. What the hell!!!
lol @ waffarians comment
He had no business slapping the kid, the child is afterall 2, and that's what they're expected to do, cry...even with family and friends....I'm kind of iffy with that disciplining a kid, just tell me and I'll handle the situation
I would've broken bottle on his head
P.S thanks Sydelle for the advice, I wash my hair twice a week, that's how annoying it is honestly, but I'll try the castor oil and the other things you recommended
nobody. i repeat no body has the right to slap someone elses baby once talk more of what??
thats terrible very bad
hmm even in naija
things r changing
my little cousins dont get scolded by aunts, uncles, neighbours like i did
why?
because those days are gone
everyone is minding their business now
this man clearly has a problem
and no its not the cries
Wow. There's Discipline and there's Crazies. Clearly this is a case of the later.
I won't deny that sometimes I get frustrated when some kids display their unruly attitude and their parents turn a blind eye (especially in public) but this four slaps incident was too much especially as the child was not even under the man's care and in public (In a country where hitting is illegal). Talk about old age, guess the sound of the kids screams were driving him nuts!
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