More and more alarming videos of children being abused by nannies or babysitters have been circulating online. However, it is uncommon to hear about clergymen hitting children, especially since they are expected to be loving and kind.
Priest Slaps Baby After Losing Temper During Christening
In a video that’s going viral, a mother holds her baby boy in front of an elderly priest as the baby’s father stands nearby. The exact date and place in which the viral video was taken is unknown.
“I’m going to put water on the forehead, and after I’ll embrace the little man, because he will have become a little Christian,” the French-speaking priest says a few seconds into the video.
However, he seems to lose his temper when the baby boy does not stop crying after he told him to calm down a few times. He begins telling the child to stop crying and to calm down in a rather loud voice.
Image courtesy of Metro video
Without warning, the priest suddenly slaps the baby hard in the face, shocking the people in the chapel. A gasp from the person filming can even be heard in the video.
The mother of the baby asks the priest to let go, but he does not stop.
However, the boy’s father could not stand by and do nothing while his child was being attacked. He struggles with the priest to get his baby, but the priest refuses to let go. Instead, the priest grabs the boy by the neck.
The audience pleads with the priest to stop hitting the kid, but he did not seem to care.
Fortunately the father eventually manages to grab a hold of the child.
Priest Slaps Baby: What This Teaches Parents About Controlling Their Temper
Yes, parenting demands a lot from us physically, mentally, and emotionally. And a crying baby is, without doubt, more stressful to take care of!
There are many reasons why babies cry. They might be feeling hot, hungry, sleepy, or maybe their diapers need to be changed.
It gets more challenging when nothing seems to be the problem, but your child continues to cry.
It is important to keep your emotions in check to avoid releasing your frustrations on the baby. It’s natural to get angry, but remember to refrain from hitting the baby like what the priest in the video did.
Here’s What You Can Do When the Baby Won’t Stop Crying
• Keep calm. Remember that getting frustrated when your baby continues to cry is normal. Getting angry, on the other hand, is never helpful. You need to pull yourself together to avoid losing control and making bad decisions.
• Be creative. You can try different ways to calm your baby. Infants can be irrational, but they can also be soothed or distracted. However, take note that shaking your baby can lead to consequences such as blindness, brain damage, or mental retardation.
• Seek help. Other people, like your partner, can take over caring for the baby when you are feeling stressed or frustrated. While they are on the job, you can use the time to relax or take a nap. There is nothing wrong with seeking help, or taking a break.
Remember that crying is normal for babies. Your inability to stop them does not mean that you are failing as a parent. Babies are humans with their own needs and emotions.
You can watch the shocking video below.
Sources: Metro, Independent, Mayo Clinic
ALSO READ: My short temper is causing problems in my marriage. How can I manage my anger?
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Philippines