When children go splat on the pavement.

[Supernick]

Two things have happened in the last couple of days that have made me realise that I don't know what to do in certain situations.

1. Yesterday, a small toddler was running towards me and totally stacked it on the pavement, falling headfirst, and spraying his biscuit into the gutter. There was no parent that I could see for several metres, and my instinct was to pick the child up to his feet and ask if he was okay, make sure he wasn't badly hurt etc. But I didn't because I was scared that a mental parent might run up asking why I touching their child.

2. I was eating a sandwich next to a public flowerbed, and another toddler came up, got in and started squishing the soil between his hands. Again, no parent, but I just left him to it even though he was going to get himself in a proper mess.

What should you do? I know what you should do in an ideal world. But what do we do in this world?

[Gevs1966]

Sshhhh, keep it down, I've got a reputation to think about! ;o)

[TillyNilly]

smiles@Gevs1966

[Panic Button]

I was in Sainsbury's once and a little child was playing with the eggs! I didn't want to see it squirted with egg white, but didn't want to touch her in case the little ****** screamed and I got accused. I had to distract it until this huge ugly lump arrived to claim it. She was to say the least unimpressive in every way.

She later appeared in the next queue and started complaining bitterly to the checkout supervisor because there was one person ahead of her!

I felt like intervening as she was all mouth about bad service, but she was a disgrace herself in several ways

[mrs_overall]

I guess it depends on the circumstances. Last summer I found a little boy age about 4 cowering behind a large bin outside a pub. He wouldn't speak but I guessed he was lost. I sent Mr O to have a look around to see if he could see any frantic looking parents while I coaxed the boy out. Mr O spotted the parents (they had the boy's identical twin with them and Mr O uttered the immortal line "Have you got another one like that?"). Luckily I was holding the boy's hand because as his parents approached, they were on the other side of a busy main road and the boy tried to wriggle free and run into the traffic. Thank goodness I followed my instincts....and I would always do the same.

[mrs_overall]

Can I just add that I don't make a habit of checking behind the bins outside pubs!

[winny]

You know what nick, if it was my child (who is not normally out of my sight but sometimes manages) I would be gratefull someone like you cared. It is a sad world when we think of these repercussions first and act later. That is by no means a go at you nick just an observation on the world. If I were you I would simply act on instinct but try and speak in a loud voice so anyone near can overhear or even help. Good luck but dont stop being nice nick.