My MIL is sometimes out and about with me and my three girls who are 6, 4, and 2. Six yearold DD is usually pretty quiet and calm. My 4 yearold DD has her wild moments, and my 2 year old can be down right loud and rambunctious. One day recently we were out to lunch and 4 yearold DD who was sitting next to MIL in the booth kept getting a little too loud every few minutes. MIL who was talking finally just put an arm around DD and covered DD's mouth until there was a pause in the conversation. DD was taken by surprise because her eyes kind of went wide and she squirmed for a minute. When MIL saw me pause because DD was squirming MIL just said, "she's fine." Then DD sat there calmly so MIL let her go.
Then a few days ago MIL, my girls, and I were at the park one day. 2 yearold DD was trying to be the boss and started arguing with 2 of the other kids a little loudly. I was about to call DD over to have a talk with her when MIL picked DD up, covered her mouth, and walked with her over to the edge of the playground.When MIL walked by me with DD in her arms, DD was wide eyed, was reaching for me, and was trying to talk under MIL's hand. MIL whispered in DD's ear for a few minutes, then set DD down. DD ran to me, sat on my lap for a few minutes, but then she got down and started playing again. It made me start wondering if maybe I should say something if she does it again. Is this something I should not allow to continue?