ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Shoppers inside a Target store in Atlanta were left stunned after a tense moment between a mother and her child escalated into something many described as deeply unsettling — prompting a fellow customer to step in and scold the child directly.
The incident, which was captured in a TikTok video by a woman shopping in the store, has since gone viral and reignited debate over gentle parenting, discipline, and when it’s appropriate for strangers to intervene.
Child’s Tantrum Draws Attention Inside Target
According to the video, the child began throwing a loud tantrum after their mother refused to buy an item they wanted, repeatedly yelling, “I want it! I want it! I want it!”
The mother stood her ground and calmly said no. While the outburst was disruptive, most shoppers appeared to ignore it — until the child made a disturbing comment toward their mother that crossed a line for several people nearby…