AIBU - other parent's behaviour when child hurts mine!

[carebear83]

I'm genuinely not sure what I should/could have done differently, or if I did the right thing. Plus DH has slightly different views from me about the situation. So would appreciate some perspective!

DH and I took DS1 (2yo) and DS2 (3m) to the swimming pool today. While I was tending to the baby, DH and DS1 went out of our individual changing room to start piling our stuff into a locker. Suddenly I hear big thud and DS1 crying. According to DH, another child, similar age, just walked straight up to him and pushed him over. If he'd fallen awkwardly, it would have been extremely dangerous and he could have cracked his head. He didn't, and he was ok after a few cuddles. DH said that the other mother said 'you shouldn't do that' but that was about it.

DH was furious and wanted to say something. I convinced him not to because I'm not sure what good would come of it and I don't particularly want DS1 to grow up seeing us react to things like that with aggression. I prefer, 'he shouldn't have done that so now we'll have a cuddle and kiss it better' or similar. Upon reflection, DH still thinks other mother should have apologised. While I would tend to agree that she should have (or asked her son to), given that she didn't I'm not sure I would react any differently.

So, AIBU or is DH? He is keen to discuss in advance of this type of thing happening again...

I don't think there needs to be a "bigger picture at home" for a 2 year old to push another 2 year old. It will probably be yours tomorrow! Yes, the mother should have said sorry. But she may have been distracted, not seen how severe it was, the mother of older children so with a different perspective....l.any one of a number of things. And if you do the "what ifs" you're going to be a nervous wreck by the time he's 10!

Channelling Bulbasaur again. My impression is that she should have apologised but given he was only two I don't think anything more should have been done with the kid. At that age I think the best you can do is point out right from wrong, which she did.

Was your DH there with you? I'd be feeling more upset that I hadn't been watching my own child as these things do happen in the blink of an eye and we can't hold two year olds (ours or other people's) responsible - or their parents.