Would you leave a playgroup if an adult slapped a toddler?

I've left two playgroups because people be slapping toddlers!!

♥️💰We are currently cheaper than 4 fl. oz of Tea Tree Essential Oil. Consider upgrading your subscription if you haven’t already. 💰♥️ Or pick up a cute shirt and let the world you’re know you hold unpopular views.

---

Rad Nation, I am trying to build a village out here in the pacific northwest but GODDAMN. I am amazed the very casual attitude some crunchy-adjacent moms have towards, uh, child abuse.

Look, I am a woman of the world, I understand the nature of generational cycles of violence and that there are many cultures the world over that uphold smacking your kid as a valid tool in getting them to do what you want. I also know that a smack or a spank is inherently less traumatic than a possible child protective services investigation and removal (in some cases!!). It’s wrong, it’s sad, everyone is worse off for it.

But we live in the year of our lord TWENTY TWENTY FIVE and I live in the BRIGHT BLUE STATE where people — I thought— were more likely to ask preschoolers for their pronouns than hand out a whupping.

I’m sharing these stories because I’m struggling navigating in a small community of moms. We all go to the same 4 or 5 toddler friendly places. I’ve already racked up half a dozen awkward interactions because I fled two playgroups around town.

I’d love your feedback. Please comment, give me your take.

First Incident: Bad Grandpa

I was part of first playgroup for six months. We had weekly hangs and almost daily communication. This was an eclectic mix of moms, none of which were *~soul sisters*~ but perfectly fine to spend an afternoon alongside small talking at the park. The real draw was the great chemistry between our toddlers.

There’s a toddler boy who I really like and my daughter adores. The kid, I’ll call him Justin, is exuberant, kind, and a real leader. He watches after the littles and rarely starts shit. I like his mom ok too. During a playdate, Justin’s mom starts telling me about their fraught home life. They share a small space with in-laws, money is tight, options are limited, lots of tension in the house and so on.