Claire, i don't think anyone's suggesting it's OK to talk to your child in that way. It's clearly not. It sounds like the other mum got a fright and over reacted - and not in an acceptable way. I hope he's feeling better about things now it's been a few days since the event.

That being said, I've also really had enough of bikes on pavements, where the riders take no care of pedestrians. My 2 year old walks on the pavement holding my hand and we've had some near misses with bikes flying past her. I don't mind children riding on pavements as much as I mind adults doing it, but I really do wish all cyclists would take care of pedestrians. I live near a school, so it's a big issue for us when we walk her to and from her nursery.

Gosh! I find your posts very insulting.

Kiwigirl

Firstly, my child is not unruly. It is the only time he has done this and he did not hear me tell him to slow down on the school drive.

Secondly, he did apologise - although he may well not have been heard since this woman was screaming 4 letter words at him.

Thirdly, please do not assume that my son lacks respect or that I need to be told what to teach him.

Rosalind

When this happened my son was leaving school and heading for the lollipop lady -a total of 2 feet on the pavement. Yes, as a lawyer, I do know it is illegal but the Home Office has issued guidance that discretion should be used regarding the prohibition on cycling on the pavement where small children are concerned which seems an eminently sensible approach (especially for 2 feet....). If you disagree perhaps you could take it up with them.

I am amazed that you presume to judge that the best way for my son to learn a lesson is to have a stranger swear at him in the street for a considerable period of time. That's quite breathtaking.

Claire

I'm afraid my sympathies are entirely with the foul mouthed ranter and indeed I've been known to turn into one myself when confronted by incredibly selfish people who cycle on the pavement. If your son had collided with the woman she (and your son) could have been seriously hurt. Much better that he should be reduced to tears by her and learn his lesson than keep on doing it and cause an accident. I hope you both now realise that pavements are for pedestrians and it's actually against the law to cycle on them. Seven year old children are not toddlers and if you don't want them cycling on the road, then keep the cycling for the designated cycle paths on the commons.

I agree with Judi on this one. It seems that perhaps this would have been a great opportunity to have your 7 year old child (who is in fact quite old enough to know better) to stop and apoligise to the lady instead of having his mother apologise on his behalf. It is important to teach children to be respectful of others in society and to teach them what is decent behaviour and what is not. It was not right of the lady to rant and rave but perhaps it was one unruly child too many and she forgot herself.

I don't think the majority of parents think it is acceptable to put their children and others at risk. The parents I know are constantly alerting their children to the dangers around them whilst scooting or cycling. In fact immediately before this incident I had told my son to slow down. However children are not infallible - they make mistakes and when they do their mistakes should be dealt with appropriately.

Claire

While shouting and ranting at children is completely unacceptable so is the lack of control of parents who allow their children to scoot/cycle fast down the pavement ahead of them on their way to school. Some of these children are completely out of control as they race down Broomwood Road which is quite steep and, at some stage, there will be a tragic accident when a stick or a stone throws a child into the road. I saw this happen a few weeks ago and, had there not been a car parked in the way,that child would have been under the wheels of the 319 bus. Some of the gate posts are very high and you cannot see if someone is on the pavement until you step on to it. An elderly person would not stand a chance if hit by one of the scooters. Why do parents think it is acceptable to allow their children to put themselves and other people at risk? If you mention this to the accompanying adult you get a mouthful of abuse - or told to mind your own business. This is particularly true of the Thomas's parents who, one thought should have known better!! I don't want to spoil childrens' fun - my own grandchildren scoot madly but in a safe environment, like the Common and they are aware that they could really hurt someone and themselves.

Hi

Thanks for the sympathetic responses!

My son was at fault in that he whizzed round the corner too quickly on his bike - in a 7 year old just out of school sort of way - and obviously gave her a fright. I did apologise to her and told him he was going too quickly but then she started to shout at him and me in a very abusive manner and quickly reduced him to tears. Hoping I don't meet her again today!

Claire

How awful.
Had anything happened to cause her to rant in the first place?
CAC

What an awful experience. But what's weird is that I was on a bus in South Kensington on my way to work this morning and I saw what looked like a young mum (pushing a pram) shouting horrendous abuse at a lady going past her - obviously I don't know what happened to provoke this and if it was the same woman but it was horrid to see. She was shouting obsceneties at the top of her voice OVER the child in the pram at this lady who was walking quickly the other way. Co-incidence or same woman who maybe needs some help?!

To the foul mouthed woman who hurled abuse at my 7 year old on Clapham Common North side this afternoon: shame on you - what a very nasty way to behave - and what a terrible example to the child in the pram you were pushing.

Sorry - feel better now

Claire