I think we need to stop writing these open letters. Just tackle the issue at the time or move on and ignore.

People need to think before they speak.

Being a Parent is hard enough without the judgment of strangers who know nothing about the situation. Hats off to you & hang in there!

People need to keep their opinions to themselves unless they have actual knowledge of the situation. Good on the mother for standing up for herself.

Yep. Nobody knows what is really going on.

I feel so bad for thus young mother, how horrible to be made to feel like a bad mum. Others can be too judgemental about situations they really know nothing about

Nobody has the right to judge anyone else’s parenting. You have no idea where they come from, or what their life is like. Even if your own life is 100% perfect, which I seriously doubt, back off and mind your own damned business! This mum seems to be playing a wonderful hand with the cards she was dealt. Judge not, lest ye be judged!

It’s so sad how people have lost their compassion. Not one person stopped to see if Sammi was alright and needed a hand. So so terrible!

The poor lady. Even without a disorder sometimes kids cry and you need food for the house. Snappy comments from bystanders don’t help parents

My son was a screamer with colic for what seemed like forever and then was diagnosed with Aspergers at 10 that explained many things. When I hear a child screaming now when I’m out I think back and relate this situation to mine. Everything is not always as it seems. And I always hope the child and parent are OK. If I pass them, I often smile at the parent in support.

I can’t understand people sometimes. All children will throw a tantrum at times. The people that said hurtful things to you didn’t know the circumstances and therefore should have kept their mouths shut. I’m just sorry that you had to endure that. You are doing everything for your girl and that is all you should think about. Keep your chin up and stand tall and proud.

In these times when every one is busy, support seems to have gone out the window. If you talk to the child directly, you are often castigated by the mother, but I always found that asking a crying child if they’d like to come home with me stopped them crying and made them stop for a moment and then it was easy to pacify them and sometimes get a giggle from them. Try it one day.

Mothers know best what and how to comfort their child. No one should be so judgemental without knowing the full story to why the child was so upset. I would offer whatever assistance I can. Well done to the mother and well written response.

People are so quick to judge without knowing the ins and outs. And the ins and outs are none of their business.

Hi Sammi. You have addressed a problem that is more prevalent than people realise. To judge a mum without knowing the whole story is a disgrace. I have worked with kids with special needs and they are mostly beautiful kids, and like all normal children, have meltdowns.

In fact, I’ve watched more children in shopping centres have them because they are not getting what they want and their parents don’t know how to use the word No.

Skye looks like a very beautiful little girl who will face many challenges in her development, but with a mum like you, will have strength, love and character that will help her overcome these.

Keep up the great work.

Well done Sammi. You are a great mum. Doing a fantastic job.
How dare those people judge you

No one knows what happens behind closed doors, sorry you got so judged some people’s behaviour is disgusting, cruel and down right mean I hope your shopping trips get better and you Little one is ok now xx

We had a similar situation when we took a child we were minding shopping with us. She has ADHD and is having treatment for it. She embarrassed us once as she leant over the side of the trolley while we unloading groceries onto the checkout and pushed some buttons on the checkout at which there was no staff. It wasn’t locked and it sprung open. Luckily there was no money in it. All young children get restless and sometimes cranky while you are shopping. They get bored for one thing. I would be more likely to ask a struggling Mum if she needed some help. Just putting things on the checkout for a Mum is a help as it takes less time that she has to juggle watching a child and putting things ready for the checkout staff. I still use a stroller for a 3 1/2 year old if I walk to the shops and probably will until her doesn’t fit in it at all. We have to cross a reasonably busy road, is too independent for his own good sometimes although he usually stops if he gets ahead of me when he is told. He is more likely to throw a tantrum in a trolley. I imagine they aren’t very comfortable to sit in either. Some don’t wheel as they should and that is enough to scare a kid.

Good on you Sammi! To all those judgemental people out there who think they know best – walk a mile in a Mums shoes then tell her how you feel. We all have our daily challenges and we should show respect not judgement. Love a great open letter like that!!

I agree – we need to support other mums, instead of judging 5 minutes of their life that is seen by others!

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 05 Mar 2016 , 6:24 am

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  Good on you for being brave and sharing!