Interfering with strangers' kids

  • Thread starter Thread starter Allegra
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It’s a tough call. You did the right thing. And we never know what effect we will have on other people.
I spoke harshly to my daughter once when she was small, after she threw her allowance money in a wishing pond at the park. A passing woman reprimanded me, and while I said nothing at the time, I knew she was absolutely right, I changed my attitude as a result.
So you never know.

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Allegra said:
Actually, what’s bothering me is the feeling that I waited too long to step in. This happened the day after I swore that I would never be like those people that walked past the lady with the toddler in the swing.
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It is not a horrible thing to have hesitated. The situation you described was perilous, but she wasn’t wandering in an intersection or facing some other risk that would have prompted you to leap in immediately. There was ambiguity in the situation. Don’t punish yourself. The child is OK, next time you might decide to jump in sooner, but take a “no harm, no foul” and a “better lucky than good” on this one. So, next time, ask your guardian angel and the child’s for some guidance.
 
Allegra said:
That parent was visibly annoyed, though he didn’t say so directly.
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I think the criteria of clear and immediate danger is a good criteria for unilateral and immediate action. I would be understanding with an irate parent, at least to an extent. People act irrational when they are scared, embarrassed or both. This is a prime time to turn the other cheek, while be satisfied that you still acted correctly. It is a type of small heroism, the vast majority of which will remain unknown to all but the one acting.

If a situation like this ever escalates, if you acted in good faith, you have nothing to fear. Just be willing to call the police, or let them call (which they won’t) if they have any concerns.

For non-immediate situations, like the one who was swung for two days, a call to the police is the best action, unless you have experience and expertise it dealing with such situations yourself.
 
I have interfered many times both on a play ground and other places. Whether it be protecting a child from getting hurt or chastising a child for doing something dangerous. I have no qualms with it and if the parents get mad oh well.

The last time I spoke to a child was on mothers day. My husband, daughter and I went to see my mom. My Mom, brother, husband, daughter and I took my mom to a restaurant. When we left my brother went to get the van. Mom was standing on the side walk and it was kinda crowded. A little boy came running out of the restaurant and nearly plowed my mom over. I yelled at him to stop running that he could knock someone over and hurt them badly.

His mom was standing there and she said to me what did you say to my boy, so I repeated myself, another of his family was also there and said, that’s what she said and he should listen to her! His parents were not pleased but left it alone.
 
I think you did the right thing. I am sure it was very unpleasant for you the way this father treated you, nonetheless, there are times where you just HAVE to step in.

Personally, I think if your child was old enough, I might try to get the child to step in depending on the situation. I suspect if a kid needs someone to help by holding their hand, an older kid is less intimidating than an adult.

I remember one winter night it was ridiculously cold. To the point I had a headache. I was waiting outside the grocery store for a cab with a lot of other people doing the same. It was so cold, taxi’s were in demand. A woman had a kid under two sitting in the grocery cart. The child was wearing a snowsuit with booties attached. The booties where hanging off the snow suit but not on the kids feet. The child only had a VERY thin sock on. I said to the mom ‘aren’t’ her feet cold ?. To which the mom replied ‘She is OK’. I walked up to the child and put the booties on her feet hoping mom would get the hint.

Not saying I am proud of my attitude, but at least come judgement day I can say ‘Lord have mercy on me, I was simply trying to help a kid’

Anie
 
God bless you, Allegra, you did the right thing in helping the child! If it was me though, knowing my sass I would have given the parent a piece of my mind. That poor child could have been hurt!

Ugh. What kind of parent leaves their child unattended like that? My mother wouldn’t even let me enter the street! It’s baffling to me.
 
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