If you stoop down and catch her eyes, she will smile at you all the way to her toes.
And my three-year-old? He’ll show you his superman sunglasses and launch into a monologue that you may not understand, while my five-year-old blurts out that he’s in kindergarten (because he’s just that proud).
Maybe it’s where I live, or maybe it’s the era in which we all live, but people don’t talk to or comment on my children much at all.
Some people give me sympathetic half-smiles in the grocery store as the baby lunges for everything in sight and I try to keep her brothers from climbing the cart like it’s a rock wall. Others avoid eye contact with us altogether.
Every now and then, I get a contemptuous comment that leaves me stinging, like the time my son accidentally stepped on a dog’s paw and I got an earful from the owner or the time my other son, pedaling away on a bike trail, had the audacity to get in the way of another biker.
To see where this is going, hop over to the Deseret News in one quick click! Thanks so much! And a big welcome to any new visitors!
Linked up with the Mommy Brain Mixer, Grace at Home and On Your Heart. Participating in the Pin-It Party.
I would see your babies, I promise! I have been shocked at times when I have been out and about with my precious little grandchildren. People are much more interested in someone’s dog than in kids. It’s nuts.
Hi Susan! I KNOW you would “see” my kids. I really appreciate that about you. 🙂 And yes, dogs get waaay more attention than kids here in the Bay area. 🙂
I read the full post of Deseret news website. I just wanted to say that I think it’s the society we live in. I, as a guy, have a fear that strangers will think I’m weird or worse, a pervert, if I try to talk to their kids. I wouldn’t be surprised if other people, men especially, have the same thought in their head when faced with similar situations. With my friends and people I know I do take the time to talk to the kids as well as the parents and try to notice them all. Bt we do teach our children not to talk to strangers so it kind of puts us in a no-win situation when strangers talk to our kids.
Hi Michael! Thank you for taking the time to pop over and share your thoughts. I completely agree. I think we’re kind of conditioned not to get into each other’s space, especially when it comes to kids. I do think a shift is happening, where parents are teaching kids not as much to avoid “strangers” as just to be protective of themselves and wise about who they really put trust in.
Well, thanks again and have a great day!
Oh, I loved this post so much! One of the things I loved most about living in Oregon was people DID notice my baby! I loved going grocery shopping and running errands because people would often comment on my “little man,” which was a term so many of them used. Doting on my child is definitely the way to my heart! I thought the lack of that same attention in my life now was the result of moving back Utah, assuming that children just aren’t as much of a novelty here. 🙂 So it’s interesting to hear your experience. Thank you for putting into words why those sincere compliments about, or even better, directed TO our children means so much. This motivates me to take more notice of the little ones around me.
Hi Monica! I just wanted to tell you how good it was to see your name pop up in my inbox! I miss you!
It motivates me, too, to give a kind word to the kids and moms around me, having put a finger on why it is often so meaningful and uplifting for me as a mom.
It’s almost Friday! Have a good weekend, and stay warm!
I could have written this, although not nearly as well as you. My boys absolutely love when adults notice them and they could talk anyone’s ear off. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate my kids the way others do 🙂
Hi Katie! I’m always happy to hear that you (and others) are experiencing the same thing. I’m sure the twins get tons of oohs and ahhs! No one can resist baby twins! But those boys of yours are pretty stinkin cute too! Wish we could see how big they are getting in person!
Brilliant. Love this one, Erica. So, so true.
I love this! I work with mostly males in there 20’s (definitely no kids) and not only do they never ask about my toddler, they are almost afraid when I bring him up! It’s funny, like they think they this baby-business is contagious.
Haha, maybe it’s where I live, but my kids get mobbed whenever I go to Trader Joe’s. They want to tickle, pinch, talk in a baby voice, you name it, and both of my boys flash the panic/stranger danger look the entire time!
XO/Kelly @ Our Cone Zone
If I lived by you, I would totally notice your cute kids! Having just sent my oldest to college for the first time 4 weeks ago, I’m acutely aware how fast their “littleness” disappears. The interesting thing I find here in Colorado is that often when I notice someone’s baby or child, they look at me like I’m about to abduct them! Sigh.
But back to the kids….they are darling! 🙂
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I think you are exactly right. People (parents) are just more guarded these days. And thanks for the reminder of how quickly littleness disappears. That thought makes me heart tighten up a bit! Gotta eat them up while I can!
I tend to agree with Susan at the top. I have been noticing for several years, pets/animals seem to have taken top spot. It makes me sad, abortions are the norm it seems, but someone does something to a pet, and they are sent off. (I’m not condoning animal cruelty)
Your children are dolls.. enjoy as times does fly by.. from one who knows!
Hi Karen! Right?? My husband is always telling me to write a post about how pets are more beloved than children (which seems to be especially applicable here in the Bay area), but I’m kind of afraid of riling up all the dog lovers! Maybe one of these days when I just feel the need to stir things up. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh no…I’m one of the people who might not notice. I admit it – I’m not a huge fan of kids in general, although I have met some that if they acted and looked as cute as they were at that moment all the time I’d take them in a second. I might be in the category of choosing pets over kids, but it’s a choice I made. I’m not against people having children – I just knew early on it wasn’t for me. And truthfully, while out in public it’s probably not the children I am not a fan of most of the time it’s probably the parents that let them run wild. I know that’s a generalization, but I seem to run into it a lot.
All that being said – your children are beautiful! I would probably notice them and even tell you how beautiful they are (I do that once in a while). 🙂
Hi Heather! I’ve gotta say, I was smiling straight through reading your comment because I love the candor! All we can do in life is own our own path, and I can tell you are doing that well. I love people who are authentic. Best wishes!
I clicked over to read the full article and was really impressed. Thank you for pouring your heart out. I feel that same way about my kids sometimes, who also have every grandparent thousands of miles away. Sometimes I need someone else to enjoy them just as much as I do. They are precious!
Hi Jelli – Thank you! What a sweet comment. Grandparents thousands of miles away is SO far!