Walking home from school last week after picking the kids up we were walking behind a mum and her children. I recognise this mum from the playground but don't know her name or children's names. The children looked about 6/7 and 2/3. If I'm honest, I had already judged her to be not coping very well. She is always late and looks tired and thin. Her children look fine though.
Anyway, mum was pushing empty buggy, little one trailing further behind popping into gardens and generally dragging feet like they do. Older child was trying to hurry him up. Mum then turns round and screams "Get in the fucking buggy now!" She notices me and carries on, "I said get in the fucking buggy! Keep on and see what happens, for fucks sake. I'm going to fucking knock you out!" Little one struggles from her and runs down road screaming. She catches up and holds onto him. He hits her. She says "fucking hit me again and you will get it twice as hard!"
By this time, we were overtaking them. I kind of half smiled as I passed. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to ask if she needed help. I wanted to ask her to stop it. I just walked past. We went into the shop and I could hear her screaming as they passed. My eldest had tears in his eyes and said "mum, can't we just take him home?" I told him kids were hard work sometimes and maybe she was having a bad day. He said that he didn't care, and she was too scary to be a mum.
AIBU if I mention this to the school? I wish I had been brave enough to say something to her. I can't stop thinking about those kids.