Yesterday I was in a restaurant and saw a (presumably) dad absolutely screaming in a hysterical rage and two young children (probably 2 and 4). He was in their face shouting about them having made a mess. I didn't know what to do - I was in the middle of paying at the counter and both me and the waitress just stared for a minute and then he left. I keep wondering what I could have done to intervene - I feel like I let those children down, but I was also concerned that if I intervened it might have made it worse (for them). If he's like that in public then I can't bear to think what he's doing to them at home but he was just a stranger - I have no way of reporting him. The children didn't even cry, just looked at each other. They must be used to it. Not really sure why I'm posting, I just feel like I should have done something but also don't know what that could have been.