Just wondering where your "line" is...at what point do you get involved with other people's kids and when do you put your blinders on and keep moving? I'm not talking behavior, I mean potentially getting hurt.

Years back, I was at a meeting at the school, and a toddler--maybe a year and half old--was kind of wandering around with his fingers in his mouth. He wandered over to the wall and started fiddling with an electrical outlet. Wet fingers!! His mother wasn't paying any attention!

I stepped over to him, kind of herded him gently over to his mother, tapped her on the shoulder, and told her the situation. She grabbed him and plopped him on her lap, turned to the person next to her, and said, "Some people should mind their own business." Really? Watch a baby stick his wet fingers in an outlet and not SAY anything?

I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even if she'd slapped me. I've reached out to steady a tot standing up in a shopping cart "seat"--I usually say, "Oop, be careful, sweetie" or something, and most of the time the mom turns around and says, "Oh my goodness, thank you! Sit down, Freddy!" Sometimes they ignore me. I go to another aisle. If I can't prevent it, I'm not going to watch a baby fall onto a cement floor.

If a child is just going to get pinched or bumped or scratched, I may or may not say something, depending on the situation and whether I get appreciation vibes from the parent or not.

Do you suppose parents are really angry when people interfere, or are they using their anger to cover up their own embarrassment or something?

I think this is often what's going on. They're afraid of being found at fault as parents even though they must know that it's impossible to watch every child every second, and occasionally an onlooker will step in to rescue a child from a potentially dangerous situation.

I also think that many parents' gut reaction is defensive because of the underlying fear of being labeled a "bad Mom".

Also times have changed now. Years ago our neighbors felt free to scold us if we were doing something obnoxious or dangerous but now that is frowned upon and many times even teachers aren't supported when they try to correct a child.

I think that protecting others from harm is everyone's business; so yes, I do mind 'my' business... and protecting others (especially children, the disabled, the elderly and animals), in the most pleasant and unthreatening way possible is a part of that .

Well done B2Y. Although the parent wasn't receptive or grateful in this instance, I know of many who would have been.

With love, Erika

B2Y,
You did the right thing. That mother was an idiot. Yeah, the kid will go home with her, who knows what happens next, but for those brief moments you were looking out for that child.

I was always there, but knew if something kept me from school, my kids would never go unattended. And nobody else's kids either. We all had each other's back.

The sobbing running child at the mall. I know he is panicked and has lost his mother. Kids know "Stranger Danger" and I am a stranger, but I will aid him and find his mom.

Being an ex-teacher, I'm always sticking my nose where it doesn't belong. Twice I've been fearful for my self when a male (and big) parent gets angry and hurts a child, but it's my job to try. Little stuff I don't get involved. Potential physical danger, I try my best.(I do find myself such situations)

A thankless job yes, but watching out for a child is everyone's job. (we're not talking about differences in parenting but real harm)

Yes blessings you were minding your business, thank God.

Thanks for a great post, Kicker

I was raised the old fashioned way that everyone looks out for each other. I raised my kids the same and treated their friends and the neighborhood kids like they were my own. If they put one toe out of line, I pounced on them, like I would my own kids. My kids friends from way back in grade school still call me mom. Kudos to you for doing what was right!! More people should be like that!

B2Y: It takes a village to raise a child.

It's always true; even to those who can't appreciate it.

I certainly don't think you were out of line at all. The child was in danger and you helped "it." I would have done the same thing in a heartbeat.

Like Jules mentioned, years ago it wouldn't have been an issue. But, now you do have to be careful as parents tend to just freak out too easily. If a child is in danger, such as this child, I would not "mind my own business" and step in. But a child crying or throwing a tantrum in the grocery store is something different. I don't say anything. Although, I have been known to either give the child the look (you know, the "you are so misbehaving look") or the other look with a partial smile of, "you are so trying to manipulate your mom/dad and I caught on and know what you are doing."

Blessings, I've done similar things under similar circumstances. A woman parked next to me in a car park once and her very small child slammed the car door on her fingers. I was close and went to the aid of the child only to be yelled at to leave her child alone by the mother. That poor little one could have had her fingers amputated, but her mother was more angry with me than sympathetic to her child. Oh well, like you... I'd do it again.