to ask this woman to stop her son screaming?

[smuggler]

Dd did her after school activity as usual tonight. It has a waiting room attached for parents with refreshments for sale, it's in the middle of nowhere and the activity is only an hour long so it doesn't warrant going home. There's a woman there whose dd started the activity just before Christmas who also has a 3/4 year old son who she takes along. Every single week he asks for chocolate and crisps from the refreshments on sale. Every week she says no and he has a huge tantrum; screaming, shouting, hitting out, throwing things and so on. She ignores him and chats to her friend. This usually goes on for half hour, then she gives in and buys him the chocolate and crisps. Toddler dd can't play because he storms over screaming at her and she's scared of him and I leave with a banging headache each week. Aibu to say something next week?

Tricky one, earplugs?

Yes if she always gives in that is annoying as he is bound to resort to screaming again next week.

I would be tempted to say at the beginning "you know you will give in so put us out of our misery" but wouldn't actually dare!

I hate this. Surely every parent got the memo on tantrums - you either give in immediately, or not at all. WTF is up with half an hour of yelling and THEN giving in. She is an idiot and you would be doing wider society a favour by saying so.

You wouldn't be unreasonable to say something, but I highly doubt it will achieve anything, especially if you embarrass her in front of her friend by calling out her rubbish behaviour management skills.

Unfortunately, she's shat in her bed, and the rest of you have to lie in it!

Can you go for a walk somewhere.

Or be brave and follow Mim's suggestion.

Buy him the treat yourself and nod at her saying. It's ok. My pleasure. It's hard when you don't have the money to give them treats, isn't it.

Next week she'll buy it straight away so you don't do it again.

I would be tempted to say at the beginning "you know you will give in so put us out of our misery" but wouldn't actually dare!

I would.