Overheard mean comment about my toddler - would you have said something?

[EIEIohmygod]

Today in the park my sweet 23 month old boy wandered up and smiled at some girls, one of whom looked about 9. I heard her say 'eurgh, his face is freaky, he looks like a zombie.'

My boy has naturally dark circles under his eyes, but he had been rubbing them which made them look more sore. But it really upset me. I was picked on for the same feature as a kid (got called Uncle Fester) and it broke my heart hearing that towards my son.

The girl's mum was outside the park. I was thinking of saying something to her when we left but didn't because a.) She was already telling her daughter off for being rude about something else and her daughter was nearly in tears, and b) my boy obviously is too young to understand and wasn't upset, so I didn't know if it would have been an overreaction. But now I wish I had. Or should I have said something to the girl herself? My sweet boy.

Just let it go, it says more about her than you and your toddler.

I would have said something to the girl or her mum, yes. If my kids were saying mean things I'd want to know so I could pull them up on it.

I would. I couldn’t have just walked away. The mother needs to talk to her daughter about her behaviour. It’s a personal thing though. We are react differently.

Kids can be cruel. Try not to let it bother you, give your baby boy a hug

Thanks all. Next time I'll say something.

I wouldn't say anything to the Mum, some children say horrible things to other children, it's very common. It may not be a reflection of any parenting, but children pick up lots of speech things from tv and screens , and other children.

I would've said to the girl well thats not nice! And left it at that but dont beat yourself up about it things can happen so fast sometimes we dont get chance to think

I work with kids so would be comfortable to challenge the girl direct with something like;
"Do you think that's a nice thing to say about a toddler?"
9 year olds are old enough to know their words have consequences.

As the parent of a ginger child I soon learned to ignore ignore ignore otherwise I’d have spent my life pulling people up on their manners. Your toddler wasn’t upset, so try to let it go but decide what your come back will be in the event of it happening again (if you want to make a come back).