To think that some mums need to stop being so precious?

[LessonsinL]

I love young children and babies. I think they're adorable, and also think it's important for children to engage with adults in a social environment. Don't worry, I don't go round picking up young children and forcing chocolate into their hands, but if they're on the bus, I smile or wave if they look my way or appear interested. The look on the mum's faces when I do this usually very cats bum, like I'm going to steal the child..

Honestly, we're not all paedos and child snatchers! Who's with me?!

MissBusiness - I've had older people round here do that a few times. I think it's lovely.
I love things that make you feel your child is part of a community.

actually come to think of it they only give them one coin, not one in each hand, but then people are meant to be careful with money in these parts

I love it when people chat to my dc's. Anyone who can help entertain my dc's while we wait in a queue is a star.

I have no problem at all with people engaging with my children but I admit I dont want strangers touching their hands etc but talk away to them and I always talk and smile back to people who do

OP don't EVER EVER STOP ENGAGING WITH CHILDREN IN THIS WAY. What a sour pus, my DS2 would have chattered away to you for the entire journey, DS1 would have given you a smile and joined in too, even my ds3 (seven months and an outragous flirt ) would have joined it, its good for everyone, some people are odd

I love smiling at babies/small children and loved it when others would smile at my DC.

As a cat lover can I just say that I think my cat's bum is rather neat and not unpleasant at all. But that's probably just me.

Don't stop-it isn't your problem.

I'm wondering if, by interacting with the baby, the mother perceives that she is being left out when really any interaction needs to go through her. Maybe instead of smiling and waving at the babies, smile at the baby and say to the mother "Isn't he/she lovely?".

Do you pick them out of their prams or lick them or lean over and cough without covering your mouth? If not YADNBU. I'm just astonished this happens to you. I love people engaging my kids. It occupies them for a second and makes them sit still and behave albeit briefly

Don't stop!

SybilBeddows I have 2 boys 1year apart, double buggy.

I often had a coin pressed into my hand by some random person when out with my mum or nan,which i always spent on sweets as did my sister so I didn't think it was particularly odd on the occasions the boys were given money

Its not something I have seen much of now the boys are older,stay away from me in public and get told off for having hoods up in tesco possibly because I don't have any little children anymore