Step Off Freak Show
So today I was out shopping with the Nerdlings running errands as we have a habit of doing. I had the NerdPud forward facing in my wrap and the other 3 kids walking. As we got a cart this older woman walked up to us. She started talking about how cute my kids were and started touching all of them, the older ones on the head and the baby's arm's, head and hands.
Back to the story in a minute but, what is up with all the touching? As I tell my kids, keep your hands to yourself people. I have no idea who you are and where your hands have been but I can tell you that my baby's hands are probably going in her mouth. So keep your cooties to yourself!
Back to the story: So she goes on about how cute and wonderful they are and then she says that NerdBug (6 year old) must not be one of my gang. I say of course he is mine, then she points out that he has brown eyes. I just say that his eyes are like his dad's while the rest are like mine. She went on to say about her grandkids all being older (17 and 20). Then she reiterates how cute they are. Then she says that she just came from the library where she saw a woman with 4 boys and a baby girl, with one of the boys holding the baby. So she said that she asked if she could hold this baby and the mom was shocked and said "No Way!". She asked if I could believe that the mom said no. I said yes and nothing else while silently thanking the Lord that I chose to put NerdPud in the wrap instead of the basket. The lady went on to say how she told that woman that if she was afraid of germs that the library was the wrong place to go. I politely smiled and said if she missed holding babies that Valley Children's Hospital was always looking for people. I then went into the store where she followed me around the produce department. Luckily that was all I was getting.
I was so shocked. There is no way I would let some stranger somewhere hold my kid of any age much less a baby. Am I just paranoid? I just can't imagine. So now I have vented and I am off to make a bottle for the baby.
Back to the story in a minute but, what is up with all the touching? As I tell my kids, keep your hands to yourself people. I have no idea who you are and where your hands have been but I can tell you that my baby's hands are probably going in her mouth. So keep your cooties to yourself!
Back to the story: So she goes on about how cute and wonderful they are and then she says that NerdBug (6 year old) must not be one of my gang. I say of course he is mine, then she points out that he has brown eyes. I just say that his eyes are like his dad's while the rest are like mine. She went on to say about her grandkids all being older (17 and 20). Then she reiterates how cute they are. Then she says that she just came from the library where she saw a woman with 4 boys and a baby girl, with one of the boys holding the baby. So she said that she asked if she could hold this baby and the mom was shocked and said "No Way!". She asked if I could believe that the mom said no. I said yes and nothing else while silently thanking the Lord that I chose to put NerdPud in the wrap instead of the basket. The lady went on to say how she told that woman that if she was afraid of germs that the library was the wrong place to go. I politely smiled and said if she missed holding babies that Valley Children's Hospital was always looking for people. I then went into the store where she followed me around the produce department. Luckily that was all I was getting.
I was so shocked. There is no way I would let some stranger somewhere hold my kid of any age much less a baby. Am I just paranoid? I just can't imagine. So now I have vented and I am off to make a bottle for the baby.
Labels: life
posted by NerdMom at
3:35 PM
5 Comments:
No. You're not paranoid. This is a much different world than the one she was raised in or than her grandchildren (being in their late teens) were raised in. Time changes and we, hopefully, adapt.
Sorry she followed you around the produce department. That would freak me out.
By
Jill, at 5:27 PM
I don't think you are paranoid. If someone did that to me I think I would have freaked out and called the store security or something. People are just weird!
Remind me to always carry my baby in a wrap!
Liege
By
Liege, at 10:42 PM
First of all, let me just say that I laughed out loud when I read "Nerdpud". That is too much for me. Even now typing there is a huge grin on my face! Second of all, that lady is crrraaazay! You were super polite offering the idea of volunteering. My husband was in a convenient store one day and the woman working behind the register was similar to your crazy. She was talking to a mom in the store with her baby, giving her weird advice etc. and asked if she could hold the baby. The mom politely came up with something to avoid the situation and her response was,"It's ok. I'm the manager." Ummm. Ok. I don't think that makes a difference!
By
Jacinda, at 10:46 PM
On the other hand, when my son was 1-2 years old, if I was talking with anyone for more than about a minute, he would leap from my arms to theirs. If they were willing to hold him, (and it was pretty obvious what he wanted as he'd suddenly lean way out towards them), he'd look around from his new perch for a few minutes and then lean back towards me.
I didn't mind (then again, I'm a dad, so I don't worry as much about anything :-)) and it was either allow him to be carried by others or not have any conversation longer than 2 minutes...
It was interesting to watch people's reactions. I think my favorite was the older Greek gentlemen who surprisingly enough did take my son for a few minutes, looking a little bewildered. Later when my son came back to me, he admitted that he'd probably held my son for longer than he'd held any of his own. (I suspect exaggeration, but but kids were definitely 'women's work' in his day...)
By
Tom, at 8:36 PM
I dunno, I grew up in a family with 9 kids and babies were passed around like candy. At least she asked - I've seen people grab! I would say no as well but mostly because I'd be afraid I'd have a hard time getting him back and would be stuck with some chatty old lady much longer than I wanted!
I'm afraid I've never gotten the whole issue with touching myself. I can understand it as a personal space issue, but I think the germ thing is probably not nearly as dangerous as people think. But again, I come from a family of 9 kids and we were always a little bit dirty and very, very healthy. So perhaps I've just associated a little bit dirty with having a strong immune system. :) I keep my kids cleaner than my mom did (I only have 4), but they are generally free to suck on and touch almost anything short of the fixtures in public bathrooms and they are extremely healthy kids. (Don't worry - I keep wipes on hand to wipe down anything a baby's been drooling on out of respect for those who come after us!) I have friends who are really uptight about germs and their kids are always sick. I can't decide if that's cause or effect! :)
By
Anonymous, at 10:00 AM
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