Disciplining other people’s kids: When it is appropriate

If other parents are not present and you’re addressing a group of children, try to be as succinct and direct in your approach. Do not make any personal attacks or single out any of the children.

For example, if children are handling a valuable object carelessly, a simple, "Children, please put down that vase now," will suffice. Be as firm as you can, stand your ground and offer suggestions for other more appropriate activities the children should do instead of playing with fragile items.

If you’re having a party where there’ll be children present, remember to go over your house rules before the party starts. Doing this in front of their parents is fine, as house rules are common and most parents will not see this as you disciplining their children.

Lay out the rules clearly and in a simple manner that children can understand. Rules like "No fighting, share all the toys, don’t touch furniture with dirty hands, no mean language allowed" are good ones to have.

Bullying has become such a huge issue in this day and age and it can even lead to young children taking their own lives to escape from constant taunting.  If you see a group of children taunting, bullying or harassing another child, you should step in and help the other child, especially if there is any kind of violence involved. If you find yourself feeling embarrassed or self-conscious to take action, try to imagine that your child is the one being bullied in this situation. That should change your mind right away.

If children are in their school uniform, try to get their names or look at their nametags so that you can alert the school principal that you witnessed an act of bullying by his students.

This is another scenario where adults should step in. Explain to the children that what they’re doing is extremely wrong and ask them how they would feel or someone did that to them. Children should learn to exercise empathy towards animals and children that are more vulnerable than them. If the animal is badly injured, try to get it to the nearest animal shelter or veterinarian as well. This will set a good example for the children and show them that all their actions have consequences.

This is a common one. We all know how difficult it can be to travel with a young child. But when you’re trying to grab some shuteye on a 13-hour flight and the toddler next to you won’t stop screaming, it can be difficult to keep your cool. However, this is one scenario in which adults should keep their nose out of, unless they have a surefire suggestion to help the parents calm down their child. Chances are, the parents already feel guilty about their child’s behaviour and you chiming in to discipline their children will be a bad idea.