Post # 1
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
I was standing at the checkout line in the grocery store yesterday. I had my 3 month old daughter with me in her car seat. A lady behind me started making cooing noises at her and my LO cooed back and laughed at her. I smiled at the lady and turned back around.
Then the lady reaches out and grabs my baby’s hand and strokes her face. Now, I am not a germaphobe but I felt myself burning up. I wanted to smack her hand and yell, “DON’T TOUCH!”. I just smiled nervously though and then moved in front of my baby as to block access. I paid and left feeling very irritated.
“Who does that?! Who just touches babies like that?! She probably didn’t wash her hands!”. I was fuming and finally calmed down when I got home. I am still a little irked by this. I am perfectly fine with friends and family touching her, but for some reason this got such a strong reaction out of me. I am sure I am overreacting, but have other moms been through this and how did you react? Does this not bother you and why?
Post # 3
Member
3357 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t have kids, but I’d think I’d be more worried about abduction than germs. Give the kid’s immune system a practice run lol
Post # 4
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@strawbs: Yeah I admit I felt that too. I kept an eye on her as I left and put my baby in the car fast. I didn’t want to add that in there as I would come off even more crazy, but I am glad someone else thought the same! whew!
Post # 5
Member
3697 posts
Sugar bee
Ditto. I would be annoyed because it’s socially inappropriate to touch a stranger’s child, not because of germs. We make too big a deal out of germs in this country anyway, and there is evidence that overzealous use of antibacterials, etc., is actually undermining the proper development of some immune responses and feeding into the rise of serious allergies, etc. There’s no reason to assume a stranger is germy – but there IS a good reason to be annoyed if a stranger invades your, or your baby’s, personal space.
Post # 6
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@KCKnd2: Thanks for your response and I agree, it was probably more then just the germs that got to me. I have never touched other people’s babies for that reason.
Post # 7
Member
2078 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m one of those people that love to smile at and make faces at babies to make them smile. But I would never ever touch someones baby that I didn’t know. Sure I’d WANT to hold and cuddle on the adorable baby because I love babies but I would never in a million years do so to a strangers child. Totally invading personal space. I don’t blame you for going all mama-bear!
Post # 8
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@MrsFairyBee: Oh yeah, I love when people smile at her and make faces. :).
Post # 9
Member
1408 posts
Bumble bee
@Cady: yes!! this really bothers me too. A few weeks ago a lady went up to my daughter and just touched her face. I was pissed too but couldnt bring my self to say anything. Some strangers are so weird. I kind of hate that i get attention when shes with me. like leave me alone!
Post # 10
Member
1333 posts
Bumble bee
@Cady: If I am standing in the line at the grocery store, and a stranger made conversation with me, and then proceeded to touch me, my face, etc, I would HIT THE ROOF. Step out of my personal space, and do not touch me…ever! Why does a baby give people free reign to not abide by these standard ‘rules’ of socialization?!
I just do not understand what people are thinking…
Post # 11
Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I dont touch people’s babies. However, I do see others do it ALL the time. I imagine that as time passes you will get used to it (although I am sure you still wont LIKE it but that’s different, lol).
Post # 12
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@lightmist: I kinda felt like I should have said something, because obviously they do not know that some people find that rude. How will they learn otherwise? I did not want to be rude though because she seemed nice…..
Post # 13
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@gelaine22: Ooooh I am sure it will happen again lol.
Post # 14
Member
4275 posts
Honey bee
@OUgal0004: Nevermind read that wrong, thought that did happen to you. 😮
Post # 15
Hostess
11283 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@Cady: I don’t have children but I’m annoyed for you
Post # 16
Member
920 posts
Busy bee
@OUgal0004: I just typed the exact same thing and then read above… so weird. Yep babies are cute but get a grip people. The germs are a big deal but I dont think nearly as much as just strange people who you can’t trust. You could think she is just going to stroke her face and then she will slap your baby bc she is a nutcase. We live in such an unpredictable world.
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