Children's Development

My son-in-law used to shout at my 6 year old grandson, Josh, when the child won't stop crying.  He goes to the extent of dragging Josh upstairs to Josh's room and leaving the child alone.  At one time my husband saw him slapping the shoulder of the child.
Last week, while we (parents of Joshua and his 17 months old brother, my other daughter, my husband and myself) were eating at a restaurant to celebrate Josh's 6th birthday and the child won't stop crying.  My son-in-law  shouted at him from across the table.  
The aunt (my other daughter) felt sorry for her nephew and she said to just ignore him because it's his birthday but my son-in-law slammed the table in our presence and looking at her, he said that the child is his son.  In other words, nobody can tell him what not to do because the child is his son.  
My other daughter was humiliated and embarrassed and so are my husband and I.  We were about to walk out but my son-in-law prevented us and apologized.  I told him that I have no concern about his disciplining the child but the approach is not right.  
This experience was so traumatic for my other daughter that she does not want to go to her sister's house anymore.
My grandson is intelligent, friendly and not the aggressive type.  He does not want to hear people arguing in the house.  I fear that my son-in-law's approach will only bring bad results and make the child resistant and rebellious when he grows up.    
Please advise me..................
Thank you very much,
Mamang
        

[allmymarbles]

You never mention why the boy cries so much. Does anyone know?

[compnet]

Somehow, all of you or one of you needs to put it forth that help is needed to figure out the right way to help the little one with his crying, and parenting skills.  The poor kid will grow up hiding his feelings and go psychotic or bullistic or something.  You've got to do something while you can.  I wouldn't worry about results at this point, just being faithful to trying.  Perhaps if father heard from a psych doctor or councellor, he might wake up.

[allmymarbles]

Sometimes children go through a period which drives parents nuts. My son whined for about three years. There was nothing wrong with him. He picked up this annoying habit from a relative. I was extremely unsympathetic and he finally gave it up. But whining is more minor than crying. Why is he crying? Do other people in the family cry a lot?