Very well framed and effective black & white. The dynamics are unusual as you have explained - the mother's attention directed to the child and the child's attention directed outside the image to the viewer (aka the photographer). The result is an unusually engaging experience for the viewer.

Well done John, I see the love and care in the mother's expression. A more conventional approach to the topic that also works very well.

Yes, Debi, that's exactly what happened. The shot was pleasing me half a second before...

Three very good social commentary picys John & this one suits the topic very well. Nice work mate.

While the child seems to be looking at you John, to me the mother seems to be soothing the child and showing her affection as there is no tension in the other hand indicating anger or frustration but it is relaxed and cradling the child. Nice B&W! :-)

I think the girl saw you with the camera. Its frustrating when that happens.

The mom is pushing the cookie into her mouth; the girl is playing, pretending she doesn't like her mom's attention. But, I guess what you see in the image is the truth of it. Maybe I was a second late to catch what went into the making of it.

a beautiful picture but I feel more of curiosity in her eyes than a sense of affection. The mother also seems to be admonishing the child