Parents of older kids...is this "age appropriate"? Settle a disagreement

goodheartedmommy

I saw a 10 year old beating on the window of a zoo exhibit...with the animal right on the other side of the glass. His mom didn't say a word, but I told him to stop. Anyway, my friend says it's age appropriate for a 10 year old, but I don't even think it's age appropriate for my 3 or 4 year old to do that.

And by age appropriate, she means that they just think it's funny to be "bad" like that, and forget that it's not okay.  I still firmly believe I'm right--I would be absolutely mortified if that was my child.

 ETA: I'm really curious what parents of older kids have to say, because she says this is one of those "I'd never" things that will come to haunt you later. 

pinktulips

Totally not age appropriate. At 10, they have complete understanding of what is right or wrong, plus a good foot in the right direction for empathy. That child was just being a brat.

ans1999

I do think some kids, especially boys, think it is okay to act obnoxiously like that at 10. I would still tell the kid to knock it off. I have worked with kids that age and some feed off the attention they get for being that way.

Amanda&Chris

ans1999:

I do think some kids, especially boys, think it is okay to act obnoxiously like that at 10. I would still tell the kid to knock it off. I have worked with kids that age and some feed off the attention they get for being that way.

This.  Although I would never in a million years have let Ian do that and not have said anything.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Well there are lots of things that are normal for kids to do but that doesn't mean they are appropriate. I think this is one of those things and if my kid were doing that I would make them stop, regardless of their age! Good for you for telling him so!

juniper19

It might be age appropriate for a 10 year old, but it is mom-appropriate for his mother to tell him to stop.

MelandJeff

HAYL no that is absolutely not age appropriate.

Mominator

Not appropriate at any age.

xbrooklyngrl

um NO, this isn't ok for any age.

GrowingFamily

Not. Appropriate.

DandelionMom

Absolutely not okay.  I don't have boys but I'm around DD's 9&10 y/o friends and classmates enough to know that if any of them pulled such a stunt they'd be corrected.