I was in the grocery store and there was a child having a complete meltdown. Another woman, a stranger to me and also to the mother with the tantruming child started yelling that the mother was 'a stupid idiot'.

I am an older woman with severe arthritis and not going to try telling off the nasty woman. Trust me when I say, she was not looking to hear anything from anyone. 

I offered to take the mother's grocery cart to the front counter (so that she could remove her child or deal with him) -- though I made no suggestion, just smiled and asked if I could move the cart. I said nothing, nor even looked at the opinionated stranger.

The mother called us both a nasty name and after a few minutes, abandoned her cart and left the store. I did take the cart to the front.

Anyone with another idea? I felt useless and like I did more harm than good in spite of my intentions.