Ask Margar-etiquette about Correcting Other People’s Children

Dear Margar-etiquette,

I come from a time and place where it took a village to raise young people. Is it still acceptable to correct other people’s children when they are being disruptive or rude?

Old School

Dear Old School,

I come from that time and place as well. Growing up, I had many “parents,” and most adults in my community embraced that role. However, times have changed, and social norms around correcting other people’s children have shifted. Here are some guidelines:

Within Your Family

• If your family members agree on shared discipline, you may correct and even enforce consequences when needed.

• If a child’s parents prefer to handle discipline themselves, it’s best to respect their wishes—unless their child’s behavior affects others.

Within Your Community (Church, School, Neighborhood, etc.)

• The same principles that apply to family can extend to a close-knit community where shared values exist.

• However, always be mindful of parental preferences and community norms.

In Public Places

• If you don’t know the child or their parents, it’s generally best not to intervene directly.

• If a child is putting themselves or others in danger, stepping in may be necessary.

• A good alternative is to alert a supervising adult or the child’s parent, allowing them to decide on any correction.

In Your Home or Workplace

• If a child is in your home or workplace, you have the authority to set expectations and correct disruptive or rude behavior appropriately.

While the “village” approach may not be as widely accepted today, you can still uphold respectful behavior by setting boundaries and addressing issues with care and discretion.

Warm Regards,

Margar-etiquette

#LITA (Love Is The Answer)