mother at school trying to make me feel shitty

[PlonkerFace]

I went to pick my 2 DSD's up from school with my 6 month old DS in pram and almost 2 year old DS on the reins. We live opposite the school, less than a minute walk otherwise I'd have taken the double pram.
I was pushing the pram with one hand and holding the reins with the other, ds1 tripped up and fell over but I pulled him up with the reins and caught him just in time for his head not to hit the ground.
One of the mothers walking behind me had to chip in telling me that I shouldn't do that and that when I'm bathing DS1 later on I will be wondering why he has graze marks under his arms (from pulling him up by the reins).
Firstly, he had a t shirt, a hoodie and a thick coat on so there's no way it would have hurt him.
Secondly, it was either that or let him smash his head in to the floor.
AIBU to think she should have minded her own bloody business?

YABVVVVVU OP. She was just trying to help.

How was she trying to help?!? She was being a massive busybody!

She may have been speaking from experience. But it sounds as though he was padded. Shrug it off.

. Well done pulling the reins before he hit his head. Quick acting. Dunno about woman. if she stranger she should have kept out of it.

YANBU, some people have far too much to say about things that don't concern them. Smile, nod and silently think to yourself "oh do fuck off, dear" :)

I had 2yo DS on the reins in town a few weeks ago. Some random man felt the need to come over and tell me that he doesn't like reins, doesn't agree with them, thinks they're cruel and that it's "hurtful" for DS to have to wear them. I replied that catching a number 37 bus between the eyes is far more hurtful and I'd continue to use them, thanks.

YANBU. I've done this so many times and it has stopped my child from hitting their head. I would rather them have a graze under their armpits than a huge gash on their head. I would have told her to mind her own business.

YANBU at all.
Some people just love to judge other mothers. Must make them feel good about themselves or something like that.

Trying to help would be asking if he's okay or offering to hold the pushchair while the OP checked her DS over. Offering a useless comment with the implications that the OP has hurt her DS is not helping anyone.

What on earth goes through some people's heads? Do they think "Oooh I'm off out to do the school run now. Hope I get lucky and get an opportunity to criticise someone's parenting".

No she wasn't trying to help at all, she should mind her own business.
I have done what you describe countless times when the DC were small-can't remember ever seeing any marks from the reigns.

OP, YANBU. I've done the same when my DCs were small. I can't recall them ever having any sort of graze under the arms, but they certainly avoided serious bumps, etc, on the heads.

Take no notice. Better reins than a head injury. Silly woman.

i don't like the show 'mrs browns boys' but i've heard a part i think is terrific - i was taught not to say fuck off , but say that's nice dear '. it works well and stops me getting in verbal punch ups with 'well meaning' relatives / strangers etc ! getting back to you op - yanbu- some people can't help themselves but make comments.

Graze under armpits or possible stitches due to smashing head on floor? Hmmmm. Wonder which I'd prefer.

What would she have preferred? You letting him smash his head? Stupid twat. Yanbu.

YANBU. Not her business, she should have bitten her tongue.
You're naturally upset because you feel unfairly criticised.
But she can just fuck off, the self-important busybody.

I thought what you did was one of the main reasons for having reins. The other two being: a) to stop them running into traffic and b) to drag them along by when they are tantrumming and refusing to walk.

I expect that woman also does not put cotton buds in her ears.

I have one of those little backpack things with a walking strap and have several times used it in the manner you describe op. I once had someone congratulate me on my quick reactions!
If I'd been behind you I'd probably have said either nothing or asked if you needed a hand while you checked your little one was ok.
Being helpful isn't the same as butting in with a criticism.

YANBU. This is exactly why I prefer reins to wrist straps.

Why is he wearing a thick coat in July?

YANBU OP. Just ignore and count it as practice for the thousands of other 'well meaning' comments you'll hear from other mothers over the primary school years .

Depends whereabouts in the country try the OP is, it's been flipping freezing and raining these last few days here in the North.

YANBU I would have told her to fuck off, can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to comment on such things

JudyCoolibar depends where OP lives I guess. It's been quite cold with the most random amd horrendous storms where I am the last couple of weeks.

Was it you, dailyfail? Of course the OP is not being unreasonable; this woman was being pointlessly critical, not helpful.

OP, I would have gone with "Oh God, I don't bath him!" and walked off with a dreamy smile.

(But I don't use cotton buds in my ears either, they're a terrible idea.)