Each of us at least once in our life had to observe such scenes and decide whether to intervene or not. Expert advice will help you decide.
1. Evaluate the situation to see if your intervention will help or will only increase stress. If you are not sure, ask. And ask not in general, but what exactly you can help.
2. Show as many small courtesies as possible: open the door, guard the grocery cart.
3. Express empathy with a look and approving words.
4. Offer to bring your mom a cup of coffee or tea.
5. Introduce yourself as a grandmother, mother of three, or uncle of twelve to show that you have relevant experiences and that you are not a pervert who wants to come into contact with a child.
6. Step in if the child is in danger (for example, running into the road).
1. Do not walk or touch the child without parental permission.
2. Do not advise your mother what to do in such a situation.
3. Do not offer candy or any other foods to your child. First, you don’t know if he has allergies or other health conditions. Secondly, you should not teach children to take food off the hands of strangers.
4. Don’t stand like a gawker. No one needs spectators in the worst moments of children’s lives. If there is nothing you can do to help, just smile encouragingly and walk by.