Rights to Discipline

I live in NH. We've had family here for the holidays. Their kids are completely undisciplined. My husband thought he had the right to verbally and physically discipline (not abuse) my sister in law's children because they were living in his house at the time. Is that legal? Both parents were also staying with us, but they didn't do much to control their children's behavior.

If they are living in your home, I believe you have a right to maintain control and disipline in your household.

Wait a minute...was the family just visiting??? That is not considered living there..nor does your husband have guardianship/custody of sister-in-laws children... It is the PARENTS' right to discipline their own children...if they don't..next year make reservations for them at nearest hotel.
And 1 other thing...my children are normally well-behaved..but it being the holidays with the excitement and anticipation and overwhelming activities ALL children go a little crazy...
Just wondering ECL...Do you and your husband have children???

Yes, the family was just visiting. It was for about 5 days. And yes, we do have a two year old. The kids that were visiting were 4 and 1 1/2.

I was just curious if my husband did physically discipline those kids, would the parents have the right to sue and if they did, is there precedence for them winning?

Also, I think culture plays into this also. My husband was raised in an Asian country and their boundaries with family are a lot less defined.

Next year, they'll definitely be at a hotel nearby!

Thanks for your input.

[LegalBeagle]

If your husband physically hurt/hit/assulted those children then yes, they would have a case. They could report your husband to the police and file a report with the CPS.

This would be a criminal matter rather than them 'suing' you in civil court for damages.