I would call the police. Verbal abuse is just as detrimental as physical and can have long lasting effects.

If she is willing to verbally abuse her children in public she might even be physical if approached by people that witnessed the behavior. I do not think it is safe to confront her on it, which is why the police need to be called.

Here is what I believe should be your reactions in these situations.

1. Anger. You should be angry at her treatment of the children.

2. Sympathy. You should feel badly for the children.

3. Protectiveness. You should want to help the children. Continual reports should be made by everyone who witnesses this, to child protective services and whoever else can file reports and initiate investigations into the fitness of the environment the children are forced to live in.

4. Disdain. You should disdain anyone who would think they have any right to abuse children.

5. Courage. You should have no fear of spineless cowards who threaten and shout at children. Take pictures and video as evidence of their cowardly behavior, get right in their face. How much better her demented violence be aimed at me than at those children. If she attacks me, and goes to jail, how wonderful that those children get at least a break from their constant tormentor. If they can put up with the night and day abuse that they live with, I can put up with a bit on their behalf.

I believe that people, these days, are too self-righteous to know what's good for others. We don't need big brother or police or social services or court involvement every time a parent scolds their children, or, for that matter, even spanks them. It's none of our business.

Perhaps you saw the news clip of the father who, on a Philadelphia subway, gently handed his son to an apparent stranger, and then proceeded to wallop a sleeping passenger with a hammer. Nobody got involved or otherwise helped the dozing victim. Should the child be placed in protective custody, since the parent is an obvious nut case? Why? Didn't the father do the "right" thing by "protecting" his child before beating an innocent passenger (who, BTW, survived the attack, and the father is facing a court trial)? Shouldn't the passengers be arrested for not being "good samaritans" (i.e., not getting involved)?

Exactly what would be accomplished by getting involved in either situation, one way or the other? Do you really know what's going on before you stick your nose in where it doesn't belong? Even if the parent is arrested for child abuse, do you truly think things will improve when he/she is released? Will the child be better off in foster care? What if the alleged abuser/attacker turns on you? What do you think goes on at their home???

In a Pollyanna world, intervening would result in the abuser suddenly seeing the "light", halos and angels would appear, and the good samaritan would reap his/her reward in heaven. Unfortunately, in the real world, it is more likely that the good samaritan will end-up on the wrong side of the stick; to wit, just a few months ago, I witnessed a "good samaritan" being kicked-out of a department store for stirring up a ruckus, though well-intended, while chastising a parent (or baby-sitter) of the very situation you gave. The parent/sitter went on about her business, both shopping and shouting at the child. I'm not saying it was "right" or for the "best"; obviously, the retailer was protecting himself, his store, and his customers, or, at least, what any Public Relations department would consider good policy. Callous or sad as it may sound, that's simply the way of the world.

If you want to do some real good, without potentially misinterpreting a social situation or doing anyone any accidental harm or distress (including yourself!), simply donate your time and money to a legitimate starving childrens' organization.

Without a doubt I would call the child protective services and report it as the outburst was occurring. This way CPS would be more inclined to help those children right away.

If the woman was beating them, well that would mean me calling the police right then and there, as I am walking over to be a human shield between the children and their crazed mother. After the police were responding well, then it is time to call child protective services. Kids do not deserve abuse in any form..

How can you say that if you report the behavior and the children are taken away from her that the children will lead a better life than living with her?

Not all parents are model parents, but living in foster care is way way worse than living with verbally abusive parents. In many culture, this parenting style is a norm. I'm not saying it is right, only that if you intervene, do so for the sake of the kids, not for your own grandiose self -serving sense of righteousness. Not every intervention will do the children good.