Mother Sprays Daughter As Discipline
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Niurka Ramirez, a 22 year-old mother of a toddler, with another on the way, decided that she would “try to calm” her child who was throwing a tantrum by spraying her with high-powered water from a carwash nozzle. What she didn’t know was that it would be videotaped and broadcast nationally. It has sent many viewers into a frenzy, calling for her to lose her children, to go to jail, to face the consequences.
The young mother saw the video too and I believe she did the best thing in the case; she turned herself in. She had her 2 year-old daughter examined, and has been cooperating with police and child case-workers to prove that the incident was a mistake but that she is a “great mother”. She is also taking parenting classes.
I’m not a child abuse expert, but I do know that our foster system is overwhelmed with children they’ve taken in, and understaffed at the same time. Mothers have frustrating days, and no, I do not believe that what she did was right. However, I also don’t think it would serve her toddler and unborn child for her to be punished by going to jail. She’s a single mom. There has been no talk of a father in the picture. Who would care for these kids? Is she really a monster? How many of our parents and grandparents grew up in the spare the rod and spoil the child era who would think nothing of doing the same thing but whose children grew up just fine?
I hope that they give this mom a chance if they don’t find a true case of abuse. Probation and definitely continuing parenting classes are more of an appropriate sentence. What do you think?
Lynn says...
I feel for her. While she probably took the wrong approach, especially with a 2-year-old, toddlers can be nightmares. Top that with her being pregnant (and therefore a little more susceptible to moodiness than normal), and I can understand why she felt like she had no other option. She took the appropriate reconciliatory action and she really does deserve another chance–I certainly hope the system gives it to her.
Jennifer says...
I believe that parenting classes is the right avenue for this case. I agree that jail time for this single mom would punish her child by being pushed around from foster care home to another. Beside, this mom did do the right thing and turned herself in. I hope that the judge assigned the case will turn a lenient eye on her and give her the benefit of the doubt, which is not to say that what this mother did was right. I am a mother of a toddler who is in his “terrible two’s” stage. After going through one meltdown after another with my child, I have had to put him in his crib, leave the room and take a breather. This mom just needs to be taught how to handle stressful situations.
Yadira says...
I live in Florida and this was all over the local evening news. I feel sorry for her because as a new mom, I can understand the frustration but at the same time, she needs to get help. Also, there was no mentioned of a dad so I am not sure what is “his” role on this.
I know it was determined that the force of water out of the hose was not as impactful as people thought it was but still, the act was a little bit too much.
I’ll be praying for her and her children.