#371 Parent or Protector? When a Father Strikes Back at a Bully

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this emotionally charged episode, Niall explores a listener’s intense dilemma: Did he go too far when he hit his son’s bully?

A heartbroken parent emailed in, sharing how their 14-year-old son—who has special needs—suffered relentless bullying for six months. Despite repeated complaints to the school and the bully’s parents, nothing changed. The situation took a dramatic turn when the bully publicly taunted the family, pushing the father past his breaking point. In a moment of rage, he confronted the bully and hit him. Now, the parents are divided—was it justified, or did he cross the line?

Some callers think the father did the right thing. After months of inaction from the school and the bully’s parents, what else was he supposed to do? Sometimes, a bully only understands force. Maybe now the kid will think twice before tormenting another child.

While other callers feel no matter how awful the bully was, hitting a child was the wrong move. Now the father is the one in trouble, and it sets a bad example for his son. Confronting the bully is one thing, but resorting to violence could lead to legal trouble, school consequences, or even make things worse for his son.

As emotions run high, Niall reflects on whether the father’s reaction was an act of protection or a step too far.