A parent in Douglas, Isle of Man, has spoken publicly about a concerning encounter involving her young son at a local park, saying the child was allegedly spoken to disrespectfully by an older boy during a visit to the recreational area.
Katie Gilman shared her account in the public Facebook group IOM What, Where, When and General Info 2026. According to Gilman, her son was playing at the park when he noticed a group of older boys. She said her son looked up to the boys and was impressed by what they were doing, making the subsequent interaction particularly upsetting from her perspective.
Gilman alleged that the situation changed when one of the boys told her son to “F*** off” and made a rude hand gesture toward him. The parent said she then approached the group to address what had happened and explained that her son admired the older children. While acknowledging that children can make mistakes, she said she wanted the boys to think about their behavior and learn from the incident.
According to Gilman’s account, the boy who allegedly made the remark did not apologize. Instead, she said he laughed when she spoke to him about his behavior. Another boy reportedly approached Gilman and apologized on behalf of his friend. She said she appreciated that apology and appeared to view it as a more respectful response to the situation.
Gilman explained that she chose to share the experience because she believes parents would want to know if their children were behaving in a way that could upset or intimidate younger children. She said her intention was not to create problems for another family or unnecessarily escalate the situation, but rather to express her concern about the way her young son had allegedly been treated while simply playing in the same public recreational area.
The post prompted a range of reactions from people in the local community. Several commenters criticized the behavior described by Gilman and discussed the importance of parents being aware of how their children interact with others, particularly when adults may not be nearby. Others shared similar experiences involving children behaving disrespectfully in public spaces.
One commenter said they had experienced a comparable situation in which children shouted toward their family before individual children later approached and apologized for another child’s behavior. Another person asked about the location of the skate park, while other commenters expressed support for Gilman’s decision to raise the issue and discuss the importance of respectful behavior.
The conversation also led to a response from DianaandWesley Kitching, who identified herself as the owner of The Shred House. Kitching expressed sympathy regarding the experience described by Gilman and said children who attend The Shred House are encouraged to treat others with kindness and respect.
Kitching also highlighted the potential for older children to have a positive influence on younger riders. She explained that older children can help younger participants understand how the park works and become more comfortable using the space. She subsequently invited Gilman’s son to attend a mini shredders session held on Saturday mornings for children under 10.
According to Kitching, the sessions are supervised by a scooter coach who can provide younger riders with guidance, advice and help with learning new tricks. The invitation offered a constructive alternative for children who may be less experienced at the park and emphasized the possibility of creating an environment where younger and older riders can share the space safely and respectfully.
The discussion surrounding Gilman’s post has highlighted broader concerns among some local parents about behavior in shared recreational areas. While some responses focused on parental awareness and supervision, others pointed to the positive role that organized activities, responsible older children and supportive adults can play in making parks welcoming environments for children of different ages.
Gilman’s account remains a personal description of the encounter, and the identity of the child who allegedly made the offensive remark has not been established in the information provided. There is also no indication in the material available that authorities became involved or that any formal action was taken.
The incident has nevertheless prompted a wider conversation about how children interact in public spaces and how parents and community members can respond when conflicts arise. For families using parks and skate areas in Douglas, the discussion serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful behavior, appropriate supervision and creating recreational environments where younger children feel safe and welcome.
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