Should she have intervened when she saw a child in distress? The kid’s dad certainly didn’t think so! His aggressive behavior makes her question her actions.
A Shopping Centre Playground
The story occurred in a shopping center, where the Original Poster (OP), aged 38-year-old, and her 30-year-old husband were enjoying a coffee while their 4-year-old daughter played in the nearby indoor playground.
Expected Hustle and Bustle
The area was loud and boisterous, filled with the sounds of children playing, laughing, and occasionally crying out for their parents. It was the usual hustle and bustle of a children’s play area, and everyone knew what to expect.
Unexpected Screams
However, when OP left to do some Mother’s Day shopping, she returned to a completely different atmosphere. She was greeted by the ear-piercing screams and cries of a child who sounded like they were in serious danger.
Inconsolable Tot
She asked her husband, “What the?” he indicated a sobbing child, telling OP that the child had been crying and screaming for ten minutes.
Where Were the Parents?
When OP turned to look, she didn’t see any parents scurrying to the crying child. Instead, she saw a large group of adults glaring at the youngster angrily, perhaps in response to the ruckus.
Something Had to be Done
She knew something had to be done to help the child, and without hesitation, she walked over to him and asked, “Hey, mate, are you okay?” Where is your mother? The young boy then gestured behind OP to his parents.
The Parents Were Right There!
OP answered, “Oh, okay,” and turned around to see the mother walking over.
However, this is where things started to take a turn for the worse. The father of the screaming child was currently engaging in one of those stare-downs that take place immediately before a quarrel breaks out with OP’s husband.
Stink Eye
She noticed it and advised her husband to ignore it because she thought the man was probably embarrassed.
OP and her family resumed eating after her spouse broke the awkward eye contact.
He Continued Staring Them Down
While OP was eating, she saw that the father of the now-quiet child had moved over to the play area to stand, but he was once more looking down at her husband while facing away from his child.
I Don’t Want a Fight
OP went over and said, “Hey, sorry if I offended you. I don’t want a fight.”
She mentioned that she was unaware that the kid’s parents were present and that she just wanted to check on his well-being.
The Dad Was Aggressive
The mother nodded in agreement, but the father just stared.
You may stop glaring at my spouse now, OP told him, and the man replied, “I’m not staring at him, I’m staring at you.”
She Retaliated
OP was taken aback and couldn’t believe what had just happened.
Consequently, she cursed and questioned, “Bro, why are you staring at me?”
No Cursing
Then the man replied, “Excuse me, would you mind refraining from cursing around children?”
OP understood that there was no point in arguing with him and said, “Oh, okay, you’re crazy,” and then turned around to return to her husband.
Was She Wrong to Check?
OP was confused and asked Reddit whether she was wrong for checking on the screaming child.
Redditors supported OP and said that she did the right thing as checking in children is appropriate, and the odd stare-down and confrontation by the man is just bizarre.
Don’t Poke the Bear!
One Reddit user wrote, “You probably could have handled the confrontation a bit better, and talking that way to a stranger, especially one who does seem crazy, might be a little dangerous! But just for checking on a screaming kid, nah! I’d have done the exact same thing.”
She Did the Right Thing
Another Redditor mentioned that the man must be mad and that checking on a screaming child is best if no one else confronts them.
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The post Woman Tried to Help a Screaming Child, the Problem Was He Wasn’t Her Own and His Dad Was Not Happy…at ALL! Would You Have Stopped? first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock /Ekateryna Zubal. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
This post is based on Reddit but the names have been changed.