The more I think about it, the more I realize it does go on a case-by-case basis. It depends on the behaviour, if I'm responsible for behaviours that could cause potential harm to themselves or others (working) and sometimes (unfortunately) what kind of mood I'm in.
Another thing that has happened where I tend to back off is meltdowns. With the possibility of disabilities being the cause of the tantrum, parents of the kids are likely sick of people giving them dirty looks. There was one patron with a little girl that has autism at the pool that was having a "bad day" and was SCREAMING in the changeroom while getting her hair brushed. Another patron asked me if I was going to intervene. I know the girl and the family as they are regulars and am aware of the girls behaviours. I can't come out and tell the second patron what's going on because it's not my place to talk about other people's families. All I could do was say that I was aware of what was going on.
Sometimes there's kids that aren't able to tell you in words that they are having a bad day.
Sometimes, in other instances, all I have to do is whip out the "Mom stare"
