Do you teach your children to hit back?

Question

I am curious as to what moms tell their children when they are hit by other kids. Is it okay to teach them to hit back or would you prefer your child tell an adult and not hit back? I can see both sides. I want him to defend himself but 2 wrongs does not make a right. Thoughts?

Answer

Tell the adult near by, if they do it again then hit them back.

Answer

My daughter starts kindergarten in a week and she just asked me this question. I told her if someone puts their hands her to tell an adult. If said adult didn't control the situation and the child does it again then by all means you hit them back but harder. I don't want her fighting but i also don't want her to be someone's punching bag.

Answer

I was raised to never throw the first punch, but you have the right to defend yourself.

Answer

I tell my children that they are absolutely allowed to defend themselves.  If I ever find out that they threw the first punch though?? Big trouble. Huge.

Answer

We've always taught our kids that you don't bully/pick on anyone. They're both awesome at being friends with everyone and always keeping in mind that everyone has their own private struggles. HOWEVER, they also both know that they will absolutely NEVER be punished for defending themselves or someone else if/when a bully comes along. We believe in keeping your hands to yourself, if you have a problem go to an adult, and that you never gang up on on someone. But as good as the whole "tell an adult" stuff sounds, there's times when that's just not an option. To us, fighting back is more appropriate than "hey please stop punching me; my parents told me to use my words and get an adult." Everyone's different though, so if you find a way that works best for your family, by all means, go with that! 😊

Answer

I agree with the other comment, it's dependent on age. If they're young then definitely not, you tell an adult and wait for them to sort it out. If they're 13+ they should defend themselves however they should also be taught that in the heat of the moment they should either walk away or take a step back.

Answer

I would never tell a kid to hit back, because that to me sounds too much like getting revenge. I would tell a kid, at any age, to do whatever it takes to defend him/herself

Answer

Sorry about this I got told by my parents you do not hit back because you don't want to become a bully, anyway cut a long story short I got bullied by the same girl for 5 years in the end after she kept hitting me and I just stood there, I finally hit her back and it was amazing that she left me alone after it all, it's up to you what you decide but my advice is always tell her to defend herself doesn't mean she or he has to hit back x

Answer

To tell an adult (teacher, etc) first, if the adult doesn't do anything about it then hit back if the kid hits them again. My children will not be bullied.

Answer

I would say it depends on the age. Some toddlers hit and I wouldn't tell mine to hit back. But once they're old enough to really know that it's wrong to hit I would. My mom told me that and this boy used to hit me all the time. I knocked him off his bike once, he went home crying, and never bothered me again. We actually became friends and still are 20 years later lol.

Do you teach your children to hit back?

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