they know what's happened, they're on the internet calling guys 'nancyboys' because they found alternatives to fighting and wondering why none of their kids friends ever come over on the weekend. OP do the mediation with the principle as the middleman so everything is on record and the actions of the other party is directed towards the principle instead of you. Last resort if the threat continue is to make a police report as another form of official record should things turn out bad. I'd take an exceptional dim view of any adult, especially one I do not know, berating my child in public. Exceptionally dim. However, if you approached me in a calm level-headed manor and explained the situation I am more than happy to work to resolve any issues including punishing/chastising my child. As a dad of three I am only too aware of how ALL kids can be little shits -- mine included. But I would not, and have not, taken it upon myself to chastise or berate someone elses kids. This. I had a woman approach my 3 year old once going nutso because my nasty little boy bit her little darling in a play centre. I was beyond furious. Not only is that child of mine very gentle (so I wouldn't have believed it anyway), but when I finally demanded to see the bite, which was a very nasty one, I was able to point out that it couldn't have been my son because my