I already know people are going to lose it over the title, so allow me to explain.

I (31M) was grocery shopping two days ago after work. I had headphones in, wasn't bothering anyone, just trying to get in and out. Next thing I know, I feel a solid slap or hit on the back of my leg. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't an accidental bump. It hurt. My initial reaction was to defend myself. I turned around and kicked not with all my strength, but hard enough to get whoever hit me in the back to back off.

That's when I noticed. A child. Maybe 3 or 4 years old, sitting on the floor, crying. Apparently he'd sprinted down the aisle and smacked into my leg for fun.. His mother was a good 20 feet away, not exactly paying attention until he started shrieking. Then she comes tearing over and starts yelling at me like I curb-stomped him or something.

Here's the deal: I didn't see him. I didn't realize it was a child. Something hit me from behind, and I reacted. That's what humans do when they are being assaulted or startled. If an adult had done the exact same thing, no one would have doubted my reaction. But because it was a little human, suddenly I'm a monster?

No. Watch your child.

He shouldn't be roaming a public space unchecked, crashing into people. What if it wasn't me? What if he ran into someone who was using a walker? Or knocked something heavy over on himself? At the end of the day, I'm not going to apologize for protecting myself from being hit. I didn't know who or what it was—I just protected myself.

You don’t get a free pass to put your hands (or toys or whatever) on people just because you’re small.

AITA?