Brenda Power writes in today’s Irish Daily Mail that at some point or another, we have all witnessed children being ill-treated by their parents.

“If you frequent a big shopping centre or airport or regularly dine in a restaurant, you’ve seen children being dragged and pulled and buckled into buggies and high chairs.

“You’ve seen them being screamed at by red-faced, stressed adults in out-of-control rages. You have almost certainly seen them being shaken and slapped.”

Brenda puts forward the question that asks should parents have the sense to leave their kids at home.

“Now, make it a Saturday before Christmas or during the summer sales and take a look at those toddlers’ and babies’ distress and more infuriatingly still, their parents’ responses.”

Would you step in and say to a parent they are out of order or would you decide it is none of your business and carry on with your day?