Confrontations with youths when with your own kids

Hi, I recently had a really horrible incident on a London park when I was with my two young kids. Some teenagers were loitering and one said something to my 5-year-old girl that made her burst into tears. I didn’t hear what he said but my daughter said he called her something really horrible.
I wasn’t sure what to do so I walked up to the youths and asked what they’d said; they denied saying anything but I could sense they were weighing me up. In the end I walked off with my kids but I’m not sure if I did the right thing; should I have just ignored them, thumped them, or what? Has anyone else had rows like this when out with their kids, and what did / would you do?
Mark

I have no experience of having children myself (1 on the way), but I do remember being a child in this situation. Some older boys made fun of me and my friend as they walked past when we were with my mum. I was about 7. My mum shouted at them and they gave a bit of back chat and walked off. Next time I saw those boys though they made fun of me AND my mum. I felt so hurt and embarressed for her, I wished she hadn't said anything to them in the first place. I got teased as being as mummy's girl from then on - ridiculous, I was only 7 anyway!! But it has always really stuck in my mind. I think ignoring them is best, they are sad little individuals just trying to amuse their mates!

Personally I think there is too much of kids mouthing off to adults and small children. It seems to be getting more common. Maybe I'm sounding like an old fart but in my day, we didn't talk back to adults and we had some respect for people.

I know what you mean about giving them a thump to teach them they can't just mouth off to whomever they like but that would either end up with being knifed (another lovely thing that happens more and more nowadays) or land you in jail! Walking away is the best option no matter how much you're seething.

A bit more discipline in the home and in schools wouldn't go amiss though would it.

Damn right Kristag, these were extremely unpleasant youths and I really wanted to do more but when you have little kids with you, you just can't take that chance of them being armed...

I think you'll find a few others on here who have similar stories to tell, sad as that is 🙁