Why you should never touch a strangers child
This is a topic that really annoys me!
It’s on a par with our pregnant bellies suddenly becoming public property the moment we start to show the slightest sign of a bump!
Why do some people think it’s acceptable to touch a strangers belly?
I just don’t get it!
It’s rude, intrusive and invading my personal space.
This goes for touching a strangers child too.
Not so long ago I took R and M to the hospital.
M had a nasty bump on her knee and we didn’t know how it had happened.
It was almost a lump under her skin, which was covered in a big black bruise.
The doctors wanted to take blood from M so that they could test it to see if she had enough blood cells. They also wanted to check that her blood was clotting properly.
It wasn’t a pleasant experience.
The first vein collapsed after a good 10 minutes of prodding.
M was scared, upset and crying.
I asked the nurse for a few moments to calm M down so that they could try again.
Eventually they managed to get enough blood from a vein in her hand.
I took the girls for some food afterwards, but M was naturally quite clingy after this ordeal.
I was standing in line waiting to order my food.
M was in my arms and R was holding my hand.
For some reason, unbeknown to me, a lady who was stood behind me in the queue though it was ok to touch M’s hand and give a her a little smile.
The smile I can deal with, but why touch her hand?
M was distraught.
She doesn’t take well to strangers approaching her – which in my opinion is a good thing – but what really annoyed me is that the woman was oblivious to what she had done wrong.
I was livid.
I’m normally a very calm person. I don’t even beep my car horn if someone cuts me up or drives badly!
I turned to the woman and said she’s just come out of hospital after having her hand prodded with needles for a good hour that’s why she’s upset.
The woman went red in the face.
She was clearly embarrassed and rightly so.
Other people in the queue were staring at her and giving me sympathetic looks.
I hope that woman know realises why it’s not ok to touch a strangers child.
What do you think?
8 Comments
Katy F
August 28, 2014 at 6:14 am
God that would have annoyed me top. Thankfully nobody ever touched my belly (i think my natural unfriendly face scares people lol) and so far as i am aware nobody has touched my girls. I have however had a lady lean right over L in a trolley to go coochie coo in her face and then sneeze all over her!! A newborn baby!! I was in shock or i would have screamed!!
cardiffmummysays.com
August 28, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Yes, I agree with you! Very inappropriate. Once a little old lady gave my daughter £1 in the middle of the street – I was so shocked I didn't know what to say. She said my daughter was so lovely chatting away… but it's so conflicting to parenting advice of don't take things from strangers!
MummyWhiskers Kat
August 29, 2014 at 6:39 am
Poor M, strangers can be so unsettling to small children. It's the same with relatives and friends that you don't see regularly, small children don't remember them and need to get to know them all over again. I hope M's knee is better now x #BinkyLinky
Beth Twinderelmo
August 29, 2014 at 11:32 am
I'm torn. When I'm at soft play if I see a child struggling to get off something I will help them down. I don't think I just do. No one has ever said anything to me but it's made me think! I am very hands on with my children and never think twice to help others but maybe I need to be a bit more aware xx #binkylink
Little Miss Alba
August 29, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Hmmmm – depends on the situation! I would always pick a child up if they fell in front of me or help them if they were struggling, this may be wrong but just my reaction! Older people seem to be quite soft with babies/toddlers too if they can see them distressed so I think it's quite sweet but in a strange situation, if the person looked odd and it was random I wouldn't be happy. Ax
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Louisa
August 29, 2014 at 3:36 pm
I've mixed feelings on this. I hate it when family members insist on a kiss or cuddle from my kids when they don't want to and I always take them away from the situation. However I have picked up many a child off the floor in the park and restrained a child who was about to run into the road. I think you have to use your judgement on a situation by situation basis.
bigtroubleinlittlenappies.com
August 29, 2014 at 5:01 pm
In your situation at hospital I of course understand why M and you were upset, poor little thing. But generally, I don't mind. I think people are just being friendly and I try not to be too precious as I feel their intentions are kind and sweet for the most. Obviously if it was someone very strange, sinister or smelly I would feel differently!! #binkylinky
Kirsty Emanuel
August 31, 2014 at 5:11 pm
I completely agree! Most adults hate strangers invading their personal space, so why do it to a child? Why is her hand even any of business!? I think you handled the situation very well! #voluminous x