I would mention it to the parents that they need to do something about him and then if they don't, then I would.

Discipline not only remedies the current situation, but will set the power balance for future problems. You're sending a message more than anything else.

My sisters kids are not this bad, but once they get comfortable in a new surrounding they go a little kid-crazy.

Last summer they ran all over hell and creation, knocking stuff over, going through my luggage, and my sister yelled at me about NOT disciplining her children.

I don't really care if they run all over their own home, choose to rummage through their or their mothers gear. My things are OFF LIMITS. So I grabbed their hands, pulled them to be just a few inches from my face and said in my stern teachers voice,

Me: "These are MY things. Do you want me to touch and possibly break your things because I am curious?"
Girl-Child: No ciocia (auntie) those are my things.
Me: So you are telling me you don't want me to touch your things?
Girl-Child: No, those are mine. Only I can touch them.
Me: Well then Sophia, practice what you preach. If you do not want people to touch your things, don't touch theirs. Deal?
Girl-Child: Deal.

The Boy-Child was four at the time so it was more along the lines of, "MINE! No touchy!"

My sister gave me the longest lecture as I said about disciplining her children. Personally, I do not feel that in this type of situation or in the situation you describe family is out of line. Simply because, these are YOUR things. These are simple manners that children should know, and parents should be teaching this.

This is why I do not let young people into my house. Parents don't teach their children the simple rule of look but don't touch.

I hate when parents cant handle their kids

you were right , got to show them who is in charge

It is nice if the parents will correct their children, but if they don't, then you should do it. You might remind the parents of your expectations at the begining of the visit. I know in my extended family my siblings parent differently than I. Sometimes at family gatherings I will gather the cousins (my nephews) together and talk about "house rules." I love kids, but I have a low tolerance for misbehavior.

I'd have stopped the car and told him he can walk wherever he needs to go.

You need to step in, especially if the kid is causing problems at your house. Sometimes people don't realize their kids behavior is annoying

I think you were right by what you were doing but me personally would have been the aunt who would have kicked him after he kicked my dog! Yes I HAVE done this to my niece, this kid sounds like he needs a good ass whooping

LOL!!! Gracie!! Your post reminded me of my father.

But he is right in this case, "My house, my rules". Guests should be on their best behviour so they are welcomed to return.

Good for you!
I've occasionally verbally corrected the children of strangers when the little fuck ups are impinging upon my harmony, in public. Even though I have no problem with being "that mean old man", I've yet to hear their parents tell me I'm out of line for doing so.

Geez, what a hassle. You definitely did the right thing, though you really shouldn't have had to say something... his parents should have been more sensitive.

I'd have done the same!

I feel you did the right thing. Young children that age really need guidance on what to do and not to do, especially in the company of others. I have two bratty autistic nephews, and they are currently living here with me at the moment. I am getting a rough lesson in patience, but my sister rarely disciplines the boys or tell them not to do a lot of inappropriate things. My mother and myself are the ones who usually step in to tell them to behave, etc. It's pretty tough.

I am actually a parent. IMO, no one has the right to try to "correct" someone else's child, unless they have DIRECT instructions on how to do it and permission from the child's parent.

As for some posts that admitted that they HIT or KICKED someone elses babies, I'd call the police and DCFS if someone physically harmed one of my kids!!!! Why do some people think CRIMINAL ASSAULT is OK if perpetrated against the most vulnerable of people? Would you KICK your friend? If so, you have some serious self control issues.

NOBODY has a right to hit children, not parents and certainly not someone else. It is a failed "parenting" strategy and people who even would think about hitting one of my kids would be cut out of my life with laser precision.

If someone's child is misbehaving in your house you take it up with the parents. No one has the right to discipline an other person's child, unless the parents have told you you may and exactly HOW to do it. AND if those parents give you "permission" to HIT their kids, DON'T do it. It's abusive.

Someone said they KICKED a small child?!?! What the FUCK is wrong with you? You do NOT have any ethical or LEGAL right to KICK a child under ANY circumstance! That's fucking abusive! If you think that is the way to act around children, stay the hell away from them! Anybody who KICKS children doesn't have the maturity or self control to be allowed around children. You do know that that is a FORM OF ASSAULT. Anything that could land you in jail if you did it to an adult is NOT allowed to be done to children. Jeez, I'm freaking fuming. WHO would KICK a child? WTF?

Why does every non-parent thinks they are more expert at taking charge of kids than those kids' parents are? Yeah, I was a perfect parent once, then I had kids. It's a LOT harder when YOU are on the inside with those kids 24/7 day in and day out. Yelling at someone elses child, once in a while may make it SEEM like y'all know what you are doing, but I guarantee, if those were your kids, it wouldn't work that way.

Children act like.... children. If they are destructive or attempt to harm your animals, REMOVE them from the situation, THEN take it up with the parents in a kind, non-emotional tone.

If you don't have kids, you aren't a child behavior expert.

But, everybody who has occasional access to nieces and nephews or neighbor's children always seems to think they know MORE about how to take care of kids than those kids' actual parents.

A few hours with a child isn't being a parent. Nor does that person KNOW what it is like to actually have full care of a child of their own.

If there are problems, bring it up with the parent if you aren't the parent of that child, you have NO business taking up any kind of discipline on your own.

If you, for some reason, think the child is some kind of hell spawn (and I can pretty much assure you he or she isn't) then don't allow the kid in your house and only see those people in their house.

Step in and set ground rules for while the child is at your house/in your vehicle. That way he know and his parents know what to expect when around you all. Don't yell or spank as that isn't your place.

you id the right thing and if they had gotten mad at you (and if it was me) I would have pulled over (or inside the house this still applys) and said "You don't like it? you can get out. teach your son better mannors hes in my car hitting my stuff and if you're not going to deal with him I will." if his parrents are not going to teach him whats wrong and whats right he will think he can get away with anything and thats big trouble.