He could first calm down the situation. For example, he can separate his wife and son gently and then talk to his wife privately about why she resorted to spanking.
He could comfort the son immediately. Let the son know that his parents still love him even though he made a mistake. And then he should have an in - depth conversation with his wife at an appropriate time to reach a consensus on how to discipline their son in the future.
Well, it depends on his parenting beliefs. If he believed in strict discipline, he might have just watched silently, thinking it was a proper way to correct their son's behavior. However, if he was more lenient, he could have been quite uncomfortable and maybe even stepped in to stop it later.
He could have different reactions depending on their family's discipline philosophy. If they generally agree on strict discipline, he may support his wife's action silently. However, if he believes in more gentle ways of teaching, he might step in later to comfort the son and have a talk with his wife about alternative methods.
The son might have felt more embarrassed or ashamed, knowing that his father was witnessing the spanking.
He could start by asking her why she is sharing this story. This simple question can open up a conversation and help him understand her motives.
The son should first remove himself from the situation if possible. He doesn't need to sit there and listen to something that makes him uncomfortable.
He could first take some time to process his emotions. Maybe step away from the situation and think about how he really feels. He might choose to have an open and honest conversation with his wife about his feelings of shock, discomfort, or any other emotions that arose while watching the story.
He could start by asking her why she is sharing this story. This would open up a conversation and help him understand her motives.
You could just ignore it for now. Maybe he'll come around later and text you back. Don't seem too eager or pushy.
The son should firmly but politely let his mom know that such topics are inappropriate. For example, he could say 'Mom, these stories make me uncomfortable. Let's not talk about this.'
First, she needs to recognize her own feelings and not dismiss them. Then, depending on the relationship with the person involved, she can take different actions. If it's a stranger, she can simply walk away. If it's someone she knows well, like a family member or colleague, she can communicate clearly. She might say something like 'I found that story really inappropriate and it made me uncomfortable. Please don't share such things with me in the future.' By being assertive, she can protect her own emotional state.