Seeing Other Parents Be Horrible To Their Children

[bednobs]

What would you do?
i was at the hospital on friday waiting for a prescription and the lady in front of me had twins in a pushchair, probably about 18 months to 2 years old. one of them was crying (a lot!) and all she said to him was "it's your effing fault we are here so shut up" The other one climbed out of the pushchair and went toddling off then laid on the floor crying. She picked him up by one arm, dragged him accross the floor, lifted him by the arm into the pushchair, slammed him down 3 times, the held his arms down roughly while she strapped him in. Both of them continued crying with her completey ignoring them till they got their prescription and left.
what would you have done, or would you have been like me and just sat there quietly fuming? I thought about talking to the boys, but they were crying so loudly, i didn't want to sit near them lest i be deafened permanently

[B00]

Magsmay, for the love of all that's holy, please let this go!

Sharingan's very nicely and maturely apologised and walked away from the possible row, do the same....please!

[2sp_]

Am I the only bugger still on the original subject?

;-)

[B00]

lol 2sp, i tried, I really did!

[magsmay]

sorry Boo I appologise. I have no wish to row with anyone. Maybe AB should have a debating circle where people can have differing opinions without fear of being suspended.

[tiggerblue10]

You can have differing opinions but without the personal attacks.

[baza]

crushes and fits aside, back to op, much to my disgust I would not say anything but walk away muttering, and yes I am an old f**t with 4 grandchildren.

[2sp_]

Was there not a case a few years ago where a man was stabbed for having a go at a father being vicious to his (own) young daughter?

[MadMen]

I definitely wouldn't say anything - although I'd want to.
The last time I said something, in a similar situation, I was shouted at and told to "flump off and mind my own business". I was actually trying to help.

I know parenting can be really, really stressful, but I don't like to hear small children being sworn at either :-(

[ummmm]

That really did make me laugh out loud.

In your bloody dreams is all I can say.

[albaqwerty]

2sp, I think you're right.

I'd have tutted and muttered but wouldn't have confronted.

Maybe the woman in question was shattered, physically and mentally. Maybe she has a wonderful husband who works all hours supporting his family?
Who knows?

[B00]

Exactly, 2sp, as indignant as you might be, self preservation kicks in, Gawd knows how the other person is going to react.

[chaptazbru]

Sharingan - Your posts were good and I applaud you. Carry on as you are and ignore the moaners ......

[Zacs-Master]

Seconded chaptazbru.

[bednobs]

thanks to the question answerers. I have been thinking about those two boys since friday. I am not 100% sure if the person with them was their gran, or just a very harangued and worn down mother. She looked about 50 (which suppose is just on the cusp of being an age to be their mum)
I am slightly reassured that so many people would also have done nothing or felt that intervention would ave been useless in the long term.
TBH the children looked like little buggers too :)

[bednobs]

ps there was a collective sigh of relief when their number was called, amongst the 10-12 people who were also waiting and a few murmurings

[mrs_overall]

I'm still with sharigan on this one.
I would have simply said with a smile that kids can be hard work and could I lend a hand?
Good manners and politeness cost nothing, but if she had then told me to eff off I would probably have punched her lights out.
(only joking before anyone starts)

[bednobs]

unfrtunatey she did not have the type of face that would make you want to approach her :(

[bednobs]

but i would certainly consider it if the a similar situation happened again

[andres]

Why on earth are some of these posts descending into slanging matches?.Can't you take them at face value and not get so personally involved.?

[Purple_Popple]

Awful as it was to witness this incident, these days it really doesnt pay to get involved, you are likely to come off far worse. I would have just looked on in dismay.