How you manage your kids' playground scuffles

After two parents were involved in a rather heated exchange of words regarding their children who were fighting in a local restaurant's play area, News24's Estrelita Moses penned an article Playground fights: where do you stand?

We wanted to know what you would have done if they were in either of these parents' shoes, when your kids are getting hurt or hurting other children on the playground. Here's what you said.

• Is your child safe on the playground?

Craig Joseph wrote to us:

"I am very mindful of where my child is at all times. If he were to be bullied by another child in a play area, I would politely approach the parents of the other child.

"If it turns out that they are unwilling to entertain a decent discussion regarding the matter, I would then draw it to the attention of the manager of the establishment.

"I do not believe in touching or disciplining other people’s children. After all – we have to remember that they are just kids and the example we set in confrontation of such a problem is perhaps the best way of showing them how to and how not to behave."

• Observations on the playground

Sherene Burger also wrote to us:

"I wholeheartedly agree, do not touch other people’s children. I think that I would have done the same as the mother in this instance, if my child was aggressively grabbed by a total stranger. I most likely would have become enraged myself.

"I would not describe myself as a hovering parent but I do check in on my kids from time to time. If my boys were to be in a play area and come and complain about another child more than once, then I would definitely take an issue.

"My thoughts are that race definitely played a part on the man side in this story. He could have just approached the lady calmly and explained his child’s version and she could have acted accordingly and have spoken to her child.

"He definitely made it worse by grabbing the child in such a rude and aggressive way. Kids are just kids….they will fight one minute and be best friends the next…..it is for us to determine and look at a situation to see if it may be harmful for our own children."

• Fighting in front of kids

Tarryn-Lee Wagner said:

"Okay, by reading all of these comments, ladies if a man grabs your child in an aggressive way, would you still talk in a calm manner? ?? No, I don't think so. 
"He acted like a 'coward' for going in for a lady, which makes me wonder how he acts when he's in an argument with his wife."

• Fighting my son's battles

Many people, parents included, have different outlooks about how childrens' playground fights should be managed and handled. Is there one right way? Are there different ways which would match the severity of the fights? Should children just be taught to handle these things themselves and only seek adult guidance if their attempts aren't successful? Share your thoughts, experience and advice by emailing chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your story. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know.