Hands off, stranger!!!!

United States
June 20, 2007 6:11pm CST
Have you ever noticed when you have a new baby....nasty people come out of the woodwork? I have a newborn, youngest of six, and I had taken my kids to the science museum. I was looking around doing a head count when all of a sudden in front of me, was this kid-- she was about my oldest's size so I am assuming 10-12 yrs old...and she started patting my baby kind of hard on his head. I had my baby in a Mei tei wrap for a reason, to keep off unwanted hands and to keep my baby safe. I turned quickly to get her hands off of him, saying "please be gentle" and she jumped and got in front of me again. This time I said "leave him alone!" in almost a growl. I can't beleive people don't watch their kids better. When I bring him to church people always want to hold him and pass him around. Somehow people forget they are sick when they see a cute baby and everyone wants to touch! Yuck!!
5 people like this
14 responses
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I would have been furious if a child started touching my baby! I dont blame you for getting mad and saying leave him alone. I probably would have told the child to go and find her parents! That is the thing with babies...everyone wants to hold them. I am now at that stage and try to remember how I felt when everyone wanted to hold and touch my babies. Holding a baby give such a great feeling!
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
20 Jun 07
I hate that! I got really annoyed when I first had my son and everyone and anyone wanted to hold him! I'm really paranoid about germs because I have a lot of health problems, so it was horrifying for me. It was also really annoying for me because I only want people I really trust anywhere near my kid! I was really impressed when a very close friend of mine came to visit wearing a germ mask, and didn't ask to hold my son even though he was dying to. I really appreciate that kind of thoughtfulness!
2 people like this
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I know just waht you mean. In fact, sometimes I won't even hold a friends baby for a long time because I know how much I hate it when everyone wants to touch your baby. Also, it amazes me how people just don't care anymore what their kids do or who they seem to be bothering. I don't let my kids wander around without me unless we are in a familiar place, and even then they know not to wander up to strangers and start touching their things or other people. They are only allowed if they are invited and then have to come and ask me first anyway.
@sidoney (1033)
• Jamaica
21 Jun 07
well I hate when people want to touch I had to be telling people repeatedly please don't hold his hands as he sucks is finger so that they would not touch his hands and the whole kissing on the cheek a relative did that once and I immediately wiped the child cheek off for her to see she did not do it again for some reason people thing that its ok to feel up your belly and your kids as if the moment you are pregnant you and your child becomes public property the least most of them can do is ASK
1 person likes this
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I can totally relate!! I always want to touch a little cute baby when Isee one but I don't because I know how it feels so have anyone touching your baby! When my daughter was like6-7 months old I was at Wal-Mart and as I was leaving the store this complete stranger came up behind me and gave my daughter a kiss on the lips!!! How gross is that?? She didn't even say anything, just kissed her and went on her way! I was so grossed out and too shocked to yell anything at her.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jun 07
That is discusting how dare anyone go up to anyones child and kiss them in the mouth. Do they not realize how many germs we have. On that point, my husband's family was really offened when my first boy was born and I told them they could not kiss my kids in the mouth. I actually had to tell I'm sorry your offended but you cann't kiss him in the mouth he doesn't have the germs you and I have.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 07
OMG DID I HATE THAT! That's why I didn't take Alexi out for almost two weeks. Then people wanted to hold her and I asked them to wash their hands first or else if I had hand sanitizer with me and ask them to use that. People don't seem to mind when I ask.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
21 Jun 07
well, i can totally understand your feeling and i also don't like it when somebody do it to my baby... it is just very rude and impolite to do that especially if they haven't wash their hands...
1 person likes this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
21 Jun 07
this happened to my neice when she was a baby a few times.once my sister put her in a pram beause she was asleep so a few people she knew around she left her there and said could you keep an eye on her please while i duck to the toliet, and while she was gone a stranger come and picked the baby up because she started to grissle but still yet half asleep.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Jun 07
You know, people think I am crazy, but for about the 1st 2 months, I think a Mom feels better with fewer people holding her baby, Mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, etc. I think after the first few months they feel more relaxed about other people holding or playing with their child so I try to stick to that, even for people I know very well, when asked. I also don't need to come down with a cold then be blamed when the little one gets sniffles.
1 person likes this
@anij34 (317)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I was pretty protective when my daughter was a newborn. Heck, I still am. I hated passing my daughter around, I wanted to be the one to hold her. I had a hard time letting even my mother in law hold my daughter. I did get a little better but it wasn't the germs I was afraid of. It was a control thing with me, because I was afraid of them hurting her, not getting her sick. Also, I am very protective of her with strangers in our neighborhood, at the store...etc...
1 person likes this
21 Jun 07
Its very annoing when peoples children do things like that. It annoys me when kids start looking in your trolley at the supermarket and messing with things. I blame the parents for not correcting their children and showing them the proper way to behave.
1 person likes this
@cmsk2005 (1770)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Yes I agrre with U and this is the most disgusting thing for which I stoppped going outside but not with my kids ( I dont have one yet) but with my nephes. I asked the people so many time to be gentle with them but they became so much angry on my request. Strange ha? I whish the baby could say by her own that-dont do that to me, ok?
• United States
21 Jun 07
Boy can I relate to that, I have always hated for people to touch my baby especially since they were lactose intolerant and had very sensetive skin that they are allergic to different lotions, soaps, perfumes, and other things that make them break out in a rash. I really hated it when people with cold or other illnesses would get near them and touch them. Parents have to teach their children manner and tell them not to touch baby since they could accidentally hurt them.
• China
21 Jun 07
have a nice day.