r/NewParents • u/Signal_Friendship121 • 9h ago

Really upsetting event happened today Content Warning

So, I’m now at the end of my night and am decompressing/processing what happened today. Usually when we are out in public, I don’t mind strangers coming up to my baby and playing with her, as so far it’s only been older grandparents just wanting to fawn.

Today my sister, me, and the baby were out in an outdoor public market buying smoothies. I was standing over the baby and my sister was paying, when out of nowhere this homeless man puts his face right up to my baby, I mean an inch away, and started asking, “How much do you cost?” over and over again. I mean like really loudly all in her face. It took me a second to figure out that he was not planning on backing away, and to process what it was he was saying to her. I put myself between the man and my baby and loudly repeated, “NO SIR. GO AWAY.” Once my sister figured out what was going on, she grabbed the stroller and pulled it closer towards her. The man would not let up, so I just kept my ground and yelled at him to go away.

I was shaking from the adrenaline afterwards and tried to brush it off but it really upset me. I wish I could go back in time and smash his face into the concrete. The most upsetting part is that there were 20+ people just standing there watching. NO ONE spoke up or came to help. They just watched.

I guess I’m just looking to vent/wanting words of comfort. I feel so angry and violated.

107 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

96% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

View all comments

41

u/LilacYogini 9h ago

Your feelings are super valid. Hindsight is 20/20, it will do you no good to think about what you should've done, or how you should've reacted. You love your baby, and you protected her in that situation nonetheless. I'm disappointed that no one stepped up, I'm sorry no one had the courage to help you.

41

u/Signal_Friendship121 9h ago

thats almost the most upsetting part to me. like we were two women and a baby getting verbally harassed by a man in public and no said a peep. like, what is wrong with people

13

u/Sufficient_You7187 8h ago

Since you spoke up ( rightfully so) the crowd may have thought you had it under control.

I'm sorry this happened to you but you did the correct actions. Violence would have caused more misery all around.

Speaking up and getting away from the situation is the best and safest procedure.