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Original poster

Should I tell this child's mother what I saw

69 replies

scandinista · 04/12/2024 20:31

On the way home from school today I saw a little girl being fiercely shouted at by an adult who was bringing her home. This woman was yelling from the start of the walk home to the front door and really telling her off about her unacceptable behaviour.

I don't know what had happened but it seemed very aggressive and unpleasant and, as it was so public, very embarrassing for the little girl (who is 6). She was silent throughout looking really miserable.

Should I tell her mum? She seems like a nice lady. If it's a close family friend or relative then maybe it's ok but I'm not sure.

Would you want to know if someone had witnessed an adult ranting at your child? I think I would.

OP posts:
carly2803 · 04/12/2024 21:07

a million percent yes

i would want to know! also inform safeguard at school

SunQueen24 · 04/12/2024 21:06

Yes

Pandasnacks · 04/12/2024 20:54

I'd tell either the mum or the school

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 04/12/2024 20:54

I think a good test is that you thought it bad enough to make a thread.

So yes, mum or school.

PlanningTowns · 04/12/2024 20:53

Intake a slightly different view and would tell the school, especially if you saw it on the walk home from school. They have procedures in place and safeguarding leads to deal with this. It could have been all manner of things to cause it (obvs I’m not saying it is right).

if you don’t know the mum well or even if you do, they may become incredibly defensive and reflect it back on you.

OverthinkingOlive · 04/12/2024 20:53

Yes

Evilthecat · 04/12/2024 20:51

These types of things are impossible to judge. You were there, op. Do you think it was bad enough that the mother needs to know? If so, then tell her.

Saschka · 04/12/2024 20:50

If you are sure it wasn’t the mum, then yes definitely tell her - if a childminder or nanny was verbally abusive to my child, I would absolutely want to know so I could sack them on the spot.

kittybiscuits · 04/12/2024 20:47

Yes, and probably mention it at school as well, beforehand, in case the mothers response isn't helpful

comedycentral · 04/12/2024 20:46

Absolutely yes

Lighteningstrikes · 04/12/2024 20:45

Yes I would.

Ceebs85 · 04/12/2024 20:41

I would want to know, as a mum

Original poster
scandinista · 04/12/2024 20:40

Thank you - I will

OP posts:
Fluffymarshmallow · 04/12/2024 20:40

Do you know the Mother well enough to tell them? If it was the parent telling them off then I would t get involved in that circumstance and if I was concerened as it was quite severe I'd perhaps mention it to the school. If it's not a parent and say a child minder then as a Mother I'd want to know.

DoughnutDonna · 04/12/2024 20:37

yes i absolutely would. i would frame it very carefully, but i would say you were concerned at the shouting and that you hope everything is ok as it seemed quite a upset had occured.

teatoast8 · 04/12/2024 20:35

Yes tell them

RamblasTapas · 04/12/2024 20:34

I would mention it to the school safeguarding lead.

MiddleagedBeachbum · 04/12/2024 20:34

Yes I’d tell the mum

Amba1998 · 04/12/2024 20:31

Yes I would