Hm, OP said they were goofing around and maybe that extended to the conversation, in which case I would probably give it a pass.

I do NOT believe in hitting kids, OR telling them you will hit them back if they hit you in any sort of serious conversation, and I do have reservations about saying it in casual or joking conversation.

My kid is 6’2” and 175 pounds so, I’d try but he could just put his hand on my forehead and keep me at arms length and I’d never be able to reach.

Yes, my DH thinks I am a terrible mom when I do that (I am French, there may be a cultural difference here). I never hit my kids as a punishment or out of irritation but if they hit me (which is exceedingly rare, can probably count the occasions on one hand and they are 6 and 8) I tend to hit back. I remember even when my daughter was probably 18 months she hit me because she was upset and I hit back. She was stunned and furious and I was not sorry … (I didn’t hurt her fwiw it was just a swat, she hit me harder)

I ain’t a killer but don’t push me.

My son was a hitter. We talked and talked about how hitting was wrong. He slapped me once, and I reflexively slapped him back. He never hit me again.

No, I'm not a hitter. I'm a pincher.

At some point, a hitter needs to be hit back. I wouldn’t want my ten year old hit and him not hit back so I think the nanny is right.

Anonymous wrote:Well, my 9.5 year old son just hit me this evening (he was hungry) in public and I told him in a very strong tone to never to do it again, or else....nanny is right!

This. Nanny is teaching a valuable lesson. Letting child know if he decides to hit someone that person has a right to respond in kind.

Anonymous wrote:If yes, at what age?

My son is ten and was goofing around with his former nanny who is now a close family friend. My son said something about hitting her and she replied that she’d hit him back and hit him hard. My son was surprised but she said after ten, I hit back so keep that in mind. I doubt it’s ever going to happen (he isn’t a hitter and she loves him to bits) but it’s an interesting statement.

The bolded statement is just as interesting as the nanny's response. What do you think it was all about?

Well, my 9.5 year old son just hit me this evening (he was hungry) in public and I told him in a very strong tone to never to do it again, or else....nanny is right!

I don't hit my kids or spouse and they don't hit me.

Good for her. Its not even something to joke about at age 10.

Of course not. What the hell?

If my child ever dared to strike a nanny, I would have no problem with her hitting back. Within reason of course.

If yes, at what age?

My son is ten and was goofing around with his former nanny who is now a close family friend. My son said something about hitting her and she replied that she’d hit him back and hit him hard. My son was surprised but she said after ten, I hit back so keep that in mind. I doubt it’s ever going to happen (he isn’t a hitter and she loves him to bits) but it’s an interesting statement.