Wow, your poor grandparents. It was a harmless tap on the hand and now you’re punishing them and basically making them out to be child abusers. How disgusting! There was a reason your grandpa felt the need to do that, because your child doesn’t listen. Im willing to bet he calmly told your child no many times before resorting to a tap on the hand. Then he even apologized for having to discipline your child because you made him feel like an abuser. Yet that’s not even good enough for you. No, you ban them from seeing your kid unless you’re there to supervise. This new generation could learn a lot from your grandparents generation if you give them the opportunity to even teach. A tap is not abuse and your child is not a victim of abuse. Learn how to properly discipline your child so that he will listen to others and have respect for other’s things.
Is this woman serious? Yea, I can see where, in her words, “tapped” the hands of a child to say the action isn’t acceptable is such brutal child abuse; she should probably contact the authorities and have the grandparents put in jail.
Did he spank your hands as a child? Are you traumatized from the spanking? How were you marked for life?
Good Lord…that is what you are supposed to be doing. If you had started out poooing your kid’s hand at age 1 when he started getting into things, then the grandpa wouldn’t have had to do it. He would have listened. Now at the age gonna need to start popping butt or gonna have a terror. Be on here in few years asking for help bc kid is out of control at age 5. Gentle parenting doesnt work. If discioline right…when they get older you dont have to pop butt much. Use the count of 5 method if they do act up. Give them a chance to change behavior before then.
A tap on the hand?
Oh myyyyylanta 
Too many people today want to be wrapped up all safely in bubble wrap.
Everything seems to be offensive & traumatic these days 
I bet the four year old quit touching the plants!
Yes, you’re overreacting. Your child doesn’t respect his elders, that’s on you.
Definitely overreacting and that’s what’s wrong with kids these days.
Why all the Drama Mama? Teach your kid not to touch things that do not belong to them. Kids need discipline. It is a fact of life. Without, they do not learn right from wrong. My Mom would have slapped the crap out of me. Good on her.
That’s where we as parents have gone sooooo wrong ! The Bible says spare the Rod spoil the child ! In NO WAY am I suggesting that a child should be abused but what you are speaking of us definitely not abuse ! My opinion 
everyone has one !
You ban them and you are hurting your child- you are definitely over reacting- chill - your child will gain more from them than you realize
Oh my are you kidding? Exactly what is wrong with these kids today!! SMH!! I am so glad I was never a soft parent!! Parents like you are the very reasons why these kids are so bad today!! Your time out BS does not work and neither does grounding! No one is saying to beat them but a damn good swat on the ass never hurt no one!! JS
You are being silly. Did he learn not to touch? Easy
He apologized and told you it was a thoughtless reaction you also have to think he’s relearning how to “parent” things are different I wouldn’t worry about it it’s not like he smacked him a across the face and he already apologized for it if it kept happening I’d worry about it but not
If it only happens once also your grandparents are helping you out cut them some slack
Yes you are overreacting!
A little smack on the hand will teach him !!!
Wow! Dont take this child away from the grandparents! Are you kidding me? Just a tap, I used to slap lightly my kids hands from age 18 months on to the age they learned to not touch things they were not supposed to. And they grew up just fine, did not become abusive or anything. The learned respect of others. One of my sons at 2 yes old used to pull his hand back and say no no. I felt bad sometimes because of telling him no so much, but he learned to be respectful of other people things and not touch them. People get too easily offended these days. Dont make grandpa feel bad about this. Is your child disrespectful and stubborn? Or talks back? Even at four they do this. Hopefully your child is not hard headed.I have several great grands that some need a spanking once in a while. Each to their own way of discipline.
You’re absolutely overreacting. He apologized & explained it to you. It’s not like it was hidden from you or he abused your child. You’re ridiculous.
Definitely overreacting. It was a tap, not a punch. More damage would probably come by him not having grandparents in his life.
Tapped your child? And you’re freaking out 
The greatest generation is the grandparents. They raised their children with amazing values. We didn’t have the issues we have in the world today. Clearly your way of doing things hasn’t gotten your child to listen and respect others and their belongings. A”tap” is harmless
Yes you are over reacting. How many times did u get popped on hand and I’m sure u turned out ok. He apologized for doing it that should say something. Your grandfather didn’t break his hand so let it go and let your grandparents babysit
a smack on the hand will not scar the child for life but not listening to a grandparent telling them repeatedly to behave lets them feel they do not have to respect the rules. What do you want them to do? Time out, distract them, explain to them why they can’t touch the plants or just let them do what they want?
i would be ashamed to put this into question on Facebook, over a minor pat on the hand
Kids need a good tap as you put it once in awhile, discipline starts at home,time outs are a joke.
Did the world come to a stop because of a hand tap? Is your child damaged for life? Good grief…get real !! A pop on the butt doesn’t hurt either !
Oh no dear u drop them off at grandparents house . He didn’t spank him just hit his hand don’t touch what happens at grandparents house is there business how are you going to set rules when you are wanting them to take care of that little brat im pretty sure its so spoiled like crazy because parents like you that don’t know how to discipline when needed is why this kids grow up and parents get walk on and act bad in this world as adults. Im pretty sure grandpa meant well and is a loving man how dare you be so disrespectful to them I see you sound like a brat to nagging over something that’s not a big deal.
You are ridiculous!!! 10 years from now the grandpa or child won’t remember this. They will remember that you kept your child from one of the greatest loves and best memories of their life. You need to stop listening to the media and all of this foolishness.
As a grandmother if my grandchild isn’t listening yes a small tap to get attention is warranted so is a time out and a explanation of why its important to listen. But when my grown child shows up they too getting a stern talking to… if you want me to watch them then teach them to respect my home and my rules as I’m respectful of yours.
You said he is your grandpa so you grew up with him in your life. Did he discipline you? Did he hurt you? If the answer is no, then what’s the big deal? Maybe he was keeping your son from possibly doing something that could cause him harm. You should teach your son to not mess with things at other people’s houses. Teach him to respect others instead of teaching him to be afraid of your grandpa.
You owe your grandfather a apology how dare you act that way respect your elders i see why your son is a brat because clearly you act like one too
Your overreacting, he simply tapped the hand because talking to the child wasn’t working. He didn’t beat your child or leave any marks. Besides children need more discipline or they turn into uncontrollable monsters
Tapped? Girl thats how they did it back then, my kids get their hands smacked by their grandparents if they aren’t in their care especially if it can hurt them, I personally think you’re overreacting especially since he apologized he obviously felt horrible about it if he said it was just out of instinct and that he’s sorry. Let that baby go back to his caring grandparents
I can’t believe your even questioning this 
Get a life and little slap is ok
The further we get from (reasonable) punishment, the more shootings we have. That, along with unplugged parents and the schools tolerating bad behavior.
If it was just a smack on the hand, it was not abuse. Love your parents, it was a way us older folks disciplined. He said he had forgotten about your rules. He will be more aware the next time. He loves your baby boy and wants to have him around. Talk to your dad about the ways you correct your son. That will help him stay with in your wishes. Your son could have been testing grandpa also. They get defiant at that age as well. I have 9 grand children and I have never laid a hand on any of them. Not even smacked their hand. I did smack on own children’s hands when they were that age though.
You are definitely over reacting! Pain is how we learn . Ever touch something you knew you shouldn’t but curiosity made you wonder just how hot it was? Example only.
Your child is very durable. A tap,smack,swat,whipping, ect works. Proven fact.
You wouldn’t treat a child molester with “a stern but loving talking to” ? They know it’s wrong to do what they did! Grow up America!
Lord lady, a smacked hand will not scar anyone
O good Lord, kids need it . That’s what’s wrong with kids today
I think you’re overreacting
I can’t even believe you are even asking this question, only thing I see is you didn’t teach your child to listen…YOU need to do better!
Never hurt my generation to get a belt on our ass. Its parents like you who will pay dearly one day for trying to just be a friend instead of having some backbone and popping their butts. If I was the grandparents I would not have apologized, and when you opened YOUR mouth, I would have told you if you didn’t like it then don’t bring them back!
I would forgive this time , set clear boundaries and if it happens again take further action. I imagine the grandparents love him dearly and it would be a major loss to your son not having them in his life if that’s the case
You are way overreacting. That’s not abuse in any way. Lol
Unless the kids are injured, a tap is fine. One on the bottom is better. I love my kids morel than anything, but there are some plants that can actually cause them some skin problems. I spatted my grandson because he was climbing and I was afraid he would have a bad fall . It broke both of our hearts. I hugged him and explained why I spatted him and it was ok. He’s grown with kids of his own. The best dad you’ll ever see. He loves his Grammy.
You are over reacting. Obviously by your post the 4 year old kept doing before the little pop on the hand. Lack of reasonable discipline today is causing huge issues with the youth today. No accountability. They believe what ever they do will result in a “ talk or time out”.
Totally overreacting!
I wouldn’t let them over there again. Your feelings are valid and the amount of people saying violence is the answer to correct behavior is alarming. Imagine thinking hitting a child will correct anything. I would hope someone hits you and then tells you it’s because you didn’t understand what they were saying
Are you serious just a hand tap it was to stop your child from doin something wrong that’s what’s wrong with kids today parents will let them set the rules
It’s not like they beat your child . EVERY CHILD NEEDS THEIR GRANDPARENTS AS GRANDPARENTS NEED THEIR GrandKIDS… a pop maybe necessary sometime. spare the rod spoil a child . And apparently it must not have been devastating bc the child was just “tapped”.one day you gonna wish your grandparents were here to help you or just to talk to you. As a grandparent, if your child is at my house and needs to be disciplined I’m gonna sure do that if need be . If they ran towards the rd you would be upset if they didn’t listen to them then maybe you should feel some shame by making your grandparents feel like they have to tiptoe to be around their grandkids .
Grandpa was right if your not going to correct them and stop acting so rightist if u don’t correct now think what he will do later in life read the latest news lady…
So I guess that I am damaged goods----through elementary school and Assumption High School (Basilian Fathers) physical discipline was doled out on a regular basis and as a result I learned what obeying the rules truly meant. I respected my parents, supervisors at work and all legitimated authority figures as well as my fellow human beings. Excessive discipline is not right by any means but a smack on th butt made you pay attention to the point being made
Absolutely you are over reacting! The grandparents definitely know more about raising kids than you do. I’m sure it was a simple reaction and your kiddo wasn’t listening . A smack on the hand will definitely grab the attention of a 4 yr real quick. Especially from a grandparent… definitely allow them to have their own bond with your child at that includes scolding them for bad behavior. But limits of course could be set. I’m not suggesting a spanking or a belt. But a time out and smack on the hand or something similar is definitely appropriate if the child will be in their care for any amount of time. Otherwise a child who grows up with out boundaries and punishment becomes a horrible adult and we already have enough of them on this planet.
Overreacting. I believe your child want touch the plants anymore. It’s called decipline.
Have a drink. Please.
I wish parents like you would be willing to replace the items your child damages because you haven’t taught them boundaries.
Omg settle down, it was a tap! And it sounds like the “ tap” worked , good for u grandpa!! Kids these days need more discipline, overreacting is an understatement
Why didn’t your child stop when told. He is four…he should know what it means when told.
Don’t EVER refuse your grandparents to see your son…do you really think your grandpa would hurt him…get off your “we don’t hit our kids” bandwagon…in a few years you just may toilet bowl that idea…
And this is how entitled assholes are raised…. 
I understand where you are coming from, but I also understand grandpa saying it was a reaction. I’m sure he was spanked as a child just as I was. I, too, have caught myself popping my daughter’s hand lightly out of reaction after several rounds of redirection. Something I’ve been training myself on. It’s a habit learned from home and you are having to reteach yourself how to parent. So I understand both but I don’t think I would stop sending them.
Kids need put in their place every once in a while. They need to be taught what’s right and wrong. Stop being a pansy and discipline your children, good grief 
Don’t rob your kids opportunity to know their great grandparents.
I’d say overreacting for sure…a 4 year old should typically know yes from no esp if grandpa already told the child no and they continued to do what they weren’t supposed to…a tap on the hand and a stern no nothing wrong with that at all!!!
YRTA your child should know better
Spare the rod and spoil the child🤫
You know thats half of whats wrong with these brats today. It didn`t kill us made us better people
What if they didn’t listen and ate the plant and it made him sick??? SERIOUSLY YOU ARE OVERREACTING!!! KIDS HAVE TO LISTEN!!!
Yes you are it was a hand slap teach him her to keep their hands off things that don’t belong to them PROBLEM SOLVED!!
I bust my kids’ asses and they still love me. There’s no harm in a whooping. There’s no scars. This “firm talking to” does absolutely NOTHING. Waste of time and air
Spare the rod spoil the child…
Definitely over reacting.
Yes you are overreacting! There is a BIG difference between discipline and abuse.
Over reacting
That’s what’s wrong with kids today
STUPID PARENTS!!!
You’re definitely overreacting
A tap on the hand isn’t going to scar him for life. Now maybe he will listen when told not to touch.
I think a chat about your expectations with them is probably best. As a non smacking parent (who before you all start gas 6 kids aged 30 down to 14 all of whom.are well mannered, never been in trouble , work, go to uni etc etc) I completely agree that an adult smacking your child is a breach of trust. The child’s hand can be removed whilst saying a firm no. Children learn respect and discipline from the adults around them not from being hit , with violence they just are scared.
However I don’t think your grandparents have been deliberately aggressive and seem genuinely remorseful so it’s maybe a learning opportunity for them.
And as for the rest of you who think its ok to physically hurt a child to get your point across, you are lazy and it’s disgusting so many of you think just because you are bigger you get to hit a child, that’s probably not teaching your kids z great lesson
Oh FFS…ignore the comments here saying that you’re overreacting. How YOU parent is up to YOU. As long as your children are cared for, they learn, and see you setting examples on how to be a good person, then everyone elses opinion here doesnt matter. There is NOTHING wrong with choosing to NOT hit your kids. Physical discipline is NOT the only form of discipline, and research has actually shown non-violent discipline is more effective at not only getting a kid to listen, but also to grow in emotional intelligence. These other people want to use physical discipline, that’s their prerogative. But they shouldn’t be shaming parents who discipline in other ways. And an FYI to those claiming not using physical discipline will have your child grow up to be violent or spoiled, many studies have shown that physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain — can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children. So, your claim is actually the opposite of the truth.
Get a grip for sure! That’s the problem with kids today! YOU!
Might be the biggest overreaction I’ve ever read on here. He is your grandpa AND he apologized. Get off your high horse and appreciate them while you still have them! Be glad they want your kids.
And just wait until this kid is a teenager & you say no to him. The kid will be a monster & you raised him! Think about that…
I still have memories of touching a dead plant, rubbing my eyes and the burning agony, screams and crying of having not known it was a chili plant as a child, I wish someone had tapped me on the hand and said no before finding out the hard way. You seriously need to take a chill pill and stop creating drama for these poor folk where there is none. I would love to have Grandparents in my children’s lives who cared enough to tap them on the hand when they don’t listen. Sheesh!
Don’t touching plants
Bible says, “Spare the rod, spoil the child”. IF you don’t correct him or allow family (grandparents) to bust his bottom or spat his hand when he is misbehaving, you can and probably will end up visiting him in juvie or jail later on in his life… Kids are always testing their boundaries, and actually prefer for parents/grandparents to be consistent in their rules and types of punishment for breaking the rules.
You are definitely overreacting. Your kid will be better off having a relationship with his grandfather.
Wow! Just wow! I bet your 4 year old is a mess!
It seriously amazes me that those parents who refer to kids they do not know as “brats” feel they should have a comment…… every parent is entitled to raise kids their own way…. My children are NOT brats and do NOT get away with everything but I also choose NOT to hit as a form of punishment…. I get chills when I’m out and about in stores and see a child flinch getting reprimanded as I know they are scared to be hit again…. I would have a conversation with your grandparents…. Hard to take older people out of habit but since they are genuinely sorry and there seems to be no malice I would say your child should be safe to be there without you and they would ensure to not do it again…… again this is just advice…. In the end it’s just advice and unfortunately people on these posts get really nasty…. Good luck!
Wow just wow… You survived didn’t you. Now they are told I am sure they put the plants higher
Damn y’all there are so many ways to discipline a child that don’t involve physical punishment and just because physical punishment ISNT used on a child does NOT mean they’re a brat! For fucks sake. OP I do agree that you’re overreacting especially since he recognized his mistake and apologized but I also see where you’re coming from in being uncomfortable with it.
I never ever spanked my child give them chances to prove you wrong that they are bad grandparents. If they pass it shall be the biggest regret
Please don’t stop the visits. That happened to me also, I had tapped her hand cause it’s just what we did when raising our own kids. I felt so awful when it happened to me, I never did it again. She was younger & she was going to grab something that may have hurt her.
I agree there are better ways to teach them. Give them a chance & they will learn. 
Have a discussion with them again.I believe you can teach an old dog new tricks😂
A slap on the hand sends a very quick message to stop touching something.
If your child went to touch the stove, and you just said no honey please dont do that… You think that’s gonna stop him? Or are you just gonna let him burn his hand? A slap on the hand is a lot safer and WAY less painful than burning his hand!
Yes, you are way overreacting. Kids need discipline. Part of the reason young people are so rude and ignorant today is because they were never punished as a child.
Your not overreacting I would have reacted the same way ,however don’t stop visits something to try is a few supervised ones till you feel more comfortable then do unsupervised and hopefully the grandparents will understand
Oh my goodness really?? Now if the plant had thorns would you want the baby to grab it? These are grand parents. How many times do you have to tell grand baby no?? Too much, if it were me it would have gone right on the hiney. I’m not repeating myself a hundred times to a 4 year old…a couple of times maybe but no means no. And you getting free child care should expect your child to listen to and respect the grand parents. Now you feel some kind of way cause of a smack in the hand??? Get over it
Bit of an over reaction. He said it was a reflex. Just let it go. My god.
Overacting for sure. Grandpa didn’t beat the child. The child needed it. That is what is wrong with the world today, the children weren’t disciplined when then needed.
If you remove his grandpa from his life he will never forgive you even when he is grown, but a little tap all grandpa has to do is hug him and say I’m sorry I love you and all is forgotten so I say give him another chance then if he can’t abide by your rules do what ever is best for your child, I myself have 5 great grandchildren and the older ones stay with me as much as they stay home, the two babies stay only 1 night at a time but they cry to come home with us every time we see them all I am saying is don’t remove a grandparent from their life unless it was something really bad it will break their little heart and the grandparents hearts to I have seen this happen
You should have disiplined him too when he got home for not listening to Grandpa!
I think you are over reacting…a tap on the hand, or a swat on the butt never harmed any child…it’s not like they are beating them.
If was truly a tap then forget about. My daughter used to bite me eventually I got mad and bit her back just enough to let her know how itfeels. Never happened again an accident don’t regret it
You have some good grandparents that admit that they did wrong and that they will respect your choices… You should not feel Uncomfortable because most grandparents will tell you that you are not raising them correctly and that this is the proper way to raise them by hitting them… You have some fantastic respectable grammarespectable grandparents and you should be very thankful
Future parent of delinquents right here