Unwanted parenting advice
@southernpixie (741)
United States
January 15, 2007 10:47am CST
I hate when I am shopping and some random person (usually a person much older than I) that I don't even know, decides to give me parenting advice. My own mother doesn't tell me how to raise my kids and I'm sure as heck not going to let a stranger do it. I've had strangers tell me that I should take away my child's binky and that I should dress them warmer (when I know for a fact they are warm enough). I mean I could understand if I was mistreating my kids, but that's not the case. I just wonder why people feel the need to give unwanted advice to total strangers.
Anyone else experience anything like this? How do you deal with it?
3 people like this
9 responses
@ethanmama (1745)
• Philippines
6 Feb 07
It IS irritating, but sometimes you don't really have to do anything and just smile. You probably won't really see that person soon anyhow. It's harder if the person giving unsolicited advise is somebody you see on a regular basis, like parents, in-laws or other relatives, but if it's just some random stranger, just ignore their advise if you don't want it :D.
@angelastreit (287)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I'm the same way with that crap and I just let it go out one ear and out the other. It pisses me off A TON! I makes me feel like I'm a horrid parent and that I am not worthy about being a parent.
1 person likes this
@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
6 Feb 07
HA! Get used to this especially since you live in MS. everyone in this state thinks it is their God given right to tell you how to raise your child. I had to move to Florida when mine was a baby to get away from it all. This state is to friendly and don't think nothing of giving you advice. Good luck!
@southernpixie (741)
• United States
6 Feb 07
I happen to like the state I live in..and I've actually lived in other states (including Florida..) and people have done the same thing. There are nosey people everywhere. It's mainly elderly people that do it. It has nothing to do with MS in particular..
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Me? I always find something snide to say back, like "thank you for your information, i'll send a letter to the editor." Then I walk off. My youngest is 16 now, so it has been a really long time since someone has poked their nose into my parental business.
In wondering why people do give unsolicited advice to strangers, I have often come to the conclusion that they would rather do anything but clean his/her own closet and thus as a result, ignore their own business temporarily by minding others' business.
@jennybeans (912)
• United States
6 Feb 07
I think the people like that who give the unwanted advice, especially the older folks, are really lonely and just looking for someone to look after. Usually when I have someone do that to me I humor them because chances are I won't ever see them again.
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
3 May 07
I can totally relate to this. I just ignore them but boy am I biting my tongue on the inside. The one thing I really hate to be told is "wait until thier a teenager!" It's like "hello" I think I know what it will be like when they are a teenager. I was one before. What do people really think that you just forget what you were like when you were a teenager. But I just bite my tongue and walk away.
@clownfish (3272)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Hi! I haven't had anyone comment to me, except one time when the people at Walmart kept asking me 500 times if my daughter was okay - she was only falling asleep in the cart! LOL I would probably just say something like, "Okay," and walk away. People probably think they are being helpful and don't realize that they are being annoying.
@muralikumar2005 (623)
• India
15 Jan 07
It can be quite irritating. People who give such advice usually just want to make their voice heard and usually have no idea about parenting. They probably have no one listening to them and hence feed their garbage to you. If you feel they are being a nuisance just tell them why they are wrong in what they say without hurting them too much.
@muralikumar2005 (623)
• India
15 Jan 07
It can be quite irritating. People who give such advice usually just want to make their voice heard and usually have no idea about parenting. They probably have no one listening to them and hence feed their garbage to you. If you feel they are being a nuisance just tell them why they are wrong in what they say without hurting them too much.
