It always amazes me how quick people without kids are to judge parents, pointing out their every choice as a false, a mistake, and the reason why a kid is headed for disaster.

Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. Just because something doesn't get handled in the moment, does not mean a child is being allowed to run wild.

This woman was not that kid's parent. If she had jerked that boy up and spanked him she could be arrested for assault or reported for child abuse by his parents. It's not outside the realm of possibilities that her own children could be taken from her.

Her options are limited in the moment. Why do the childless rubberneckers have such a hard time grasping this reality?

Further, there's an assumption that the kid behaves this way at home and the parents are to blame. That may be. But, it's equally likely that he's showing out because he's away from them. That is not uncommon especially amongst boys. His parents may be shocked, shell shocked even when they find out. That boy may be in for a ride awakening when he gets taken home.

You don't know.