The one time I did say something to a parent was in McDonald’s about 10 years ago. There was a little boy in there that was about 3 or 4. His Mother dragged him outside by one arm and took him to the car and started beating his rear end. I went nuts on her. I told her to get her hands off of him and that was child abuse and if she didn’t stop, I was calling the police.

I think one swat on the rear end is ok but she was beating him. She was clearly shaken up that I confronted her in front of everyone in the parking lot. She actually said, “ok” when I told her to stop.

Don’t beat yourself up for not calling the police. If it bothers you that much, from now on promise yourself that when in a situation like that you will call every time. That’s about all you can do to feel better.