Don't ever let a child be mistreated in your presence.  I'm not suggesting you micromanage another parent's job.  I'm just saying, if someone crosses a line like this, step over it yourself and stop it in its tracks - even if you have to beat the beater till he pisses blood.

One of the sweetest and cutest kids I know is a 2 year old girl. A week ago I was in Subway having dinner, andd ran into her, her older sister and their dad. I thought it was cute when I heard her speak. I love hearing kids that young speak (which, to a large extent they kinda barely do). It makes me soooooooooooooooooo upset to think of anyone being abused in anyway shape or form, let alone one barely old enough to verbally communicate. And to whoever mentioned Erikson, I remember learning about his stages of development. Might not have been in Psych '101' though.

JFG