I don’t know how to make people stop touching Alex.
Whenever we go out, wherever we go out, people come up to him. They talk to him, touch his face, brush his hair with their fingers, and try to hold his hand. Women and men alike will come up to him. If it is just the two of us out, at least three people will walk up to him every hour. It seems that when I’m with more people it doesn’t happen nearly as often. Because of this, I’ll avoid going out without someone else with me. I don’t like strangers touching my son.
Walking up to an infant, or any child, without invitation, is unacceptable for so many reasons:
1. You aren’t talking to me. You know, the adult. You are ignoring me. Treating me like I’m just an object in the way. Clearly, you need some help, because he can’t talk yet. Oh, and he probably doesn’t like you because I probably don’t like you. He follows my lead on whether or not to like someone.
2. He’s not property. He’s not a pet. He is a human being. Would you come up to a grown adult and just grab them because you felt like it? If you would, you especially need to stay away.
3. You’re probably carrying some sort of illness. Most of us are, so it’s not really personal.
4. It’s just rude. Would you want me coming up and interrupting your conversation? Would you want me to walk up, pretend like you are not there, distract you, all while you are clearly in the middle of something?
Seriously, back off. I don’t know how to tell you nicely to get away, so I’m probably going to say something rude. It would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to say anything. If you would just keep your hands to yourself. Weren’t we all taught that in Kindergarten?
Wow! I’m going to go with ‘if I don’t have anything good to say don’t say anything at all’.
You can’t possibly live in the northeast. That would rarely happen here. People are distant and keep to themselves.
And I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want some stranger pawing my child either!
He’s adorable! I would be upset too if strangers touched my baby. I think I would just have to be rude, and ask that they not touch my child. You would think that a parent or even a person with common sense would understand that touching someone’s child is inappropriate.
hi allison! thanks for dropping by my strawberrygurl site. i hear you on that. i felt that way too with strangers even kissing my daughter on the cheek! waaah.
What about slyly moving him away from their grasp like you’re just shifting the baby on your hip? Or making him a t-shirt or jumper that says “please don’t touch me” or making a polite excuse that you don’t want him to transmit or pick up germs?
Totally agree with you though.
Yeah, sometimes people are a little too friendly. I don’t mind if people say “hi” to Caleb but I’m not such a fan if they touch him. Although he is pretty social and will somtimes try to touch them first.
Well, I ADORE babies … they are pretty hard for me to resist … although I KNOW there are many people that have serious issues about touching so I don’t do that … but I LOOOOVVVEEE babies! I would have a billion - it’s the terrible two’s/three’s that keep me at ONLY TWO! Babies are so touchable … so soft and wonderful and smiley and pleasant and innocent and WONDERFUL. In defense of the touchers … when you think about it babies are pretty rare - most of us are out there walking and talking so young ones are rare and so very wonderful to see. I told every mom I saw at the zoo that it was because of all of the babies that I love the zoo so much … there are so very many newbies out there (compared to other places) and I just love saying hi and waving and making a baby smile (but I don’t usually ignore Mom or older siblings).
My most favorite thing in the world are baby feet and toes - and when I’m around babies and mommies that I have a relationship with and will allow me to touch … that is what I hold most …
You have to admit there is no finer feeling in the world than the softness of baby skin … the only thing soft on us old ladies is our fatty bellies and saggy boobies - and that is just not the same kindof softness.
I can see how that could become quite the problem. I’m thinking you may need to invest in Purell stock. I carry those little ones I swipe from Chick-Fil-A just about everywhere.
Well, I guess its sort of a compliment that your little guy is so cute he’s irresistable! I think its a little weird though that people feel free to just walk up and TOUCH him, especially in this day and age! I absolutely love babies, toddlers and all children, and often if I am in line or something I’ll smile or wink at a cute little kid who is looking at me, and maybe ask the parent how old the child is or comment how cute he is. But I would NEVER touch a child who I don’t know at all! I would just assume that it would freak out the parent, and possibly freak out the kid too!
Oh My Goodness, I agree with you 100%!!!!!!!!!!
And while I am know as a predominately quiet person, I manke NO APOLOGIES for taking care of my children as I see best.
So, when we are in the store and someone is not able to read the “please do not touch my child” body language, I simply say, “Please do not touch my child” while wearing the most charming smile I have. And for the few that have questioned me I simply reply, I do not know you and you do not know me, I am also teaching my child to keep their hands to themselves, so for you to touch them would be confusing to them.
I’ve only had one person make a rude comment and to them I said-since you do not know my child, how do you know they don’t have a contagious illness? I must admit, that was a moment I enjoyed.
It’s because he’s so CUTE! I’m not much of a kid person, but I think he is ADORABLE. I wouldn’t be one of those touchy people though, just wave to him.. I don’t know why people can’t seem to understand the concept of ‘personal space’.. when you figure it out, let me know!
I totally agree with you. It’s unacceptable to touch someone else’s child. I hate when strangers come up to my daughter. It creeps me out. My husband just freaks out and makes rude comments when this happens to our poor daughter. I guess that’s what you have to do to keeps strangers away from your kids.
Well he IS adorable, but that said, I agree with you. I remember an older woman doing that in Babies R Us once when my daughter was only a few weeks old. It definitely freaked me out. I’m not sure there’s a way to handle it without seeming rude but then again it’s rude in the first place to just walk up and touch a child, so I think they’re getting what they’re giving.
[...] 23, 2008 by allisonbarton Remember this? You know, the one where I complained about strangers touching Alex? That issue has not stopped. I [...]