to not want to hold their babies

[Debsbear]

I have five kids of my own and I love them all dearly. When they were small I would sit and nurse them all day long (given the opportunity) and watch every expression flicker across their faces. I woud sit by their bedside when they were sleeping just amazed at how beautiful they were. Now, I feel like I've been typecast as a "babylover" and whenever anyone has a baby I hear the dreaded " Oh Deb will nurse him for you, she LOVES babies". I'm sorry, but I don't actually LOVE babies, I love MY babies and to me there is a huge difference. I am more than happy to help out in any way I can, I will babysit quite competently and will hold a baby so Mummy can go and change toddlers nappy or whatever job is calling, but please don't run away with the idea that I can think of no more pleasurable way of spending my afternoon than cuddling your baby just because he's there.

I really upset someone once because I refused to hold her baby. In fact the very first baby I ever held was DD, which I kind of like. I think I have held a couple of babies since then, but it isn't my thing at all. YAdefinitelyNBU.

I don't (much) like holding other people's babies because 1. they might puke on me, 2. they might poo on me and 3. they might cry

Other people's babies don't smell or feel the same as mine, so there's no "oh lovely" to it. Just fear

I'm with you on this. People assume that because I have three young children I must love kids.

I do, my own!

I dont like holding random babies or coo-ing over other peoples children at all. I will be polite but thats it.

im not that into holding peoples babies either

I don't like babies.

I love my ds with all my heart, but I feel stupidly awkward with other peoples kid/babies.

I'm glad it's not just me. I'm not really keen on children or babies
I absolutely love mine of course but Even other people's newborn babies don't make me go awwww.

YANBU

I do a weekly shop at the supermarket but that doesn't mean I want to hold people's shopping either.

YANBU. I only have one, I do love her and quite happily held her when she was a baby. That's my baby holding done.
They scare me with their floppy heads. DD used to worry the life out of me when her head lolloped around.

Im fine with babies but i hate being left with toddlers. I ave 5dcs and i dont mind the fact im looking after them but i just feel so awkward with other peoples children, i dont know what to say or do and end up looking a fool!

I prefer not to hold them because I just think I'm going to drop them.

Worra!

YADNBU. The only babies I have ever held are my own (4 of 'em), no interest in holding anyone else's!

YANBU

But personally I love babies.

And toddlers.

And small children generally. Especially if they're cute and friendly. I find spending time with little children almost a form of therapy.

It's just my own kids that make me want to drink gin and smoke and cry.

I rather like babies, they're all squidgy and warm.

But I do get this, with children in general. I'm the only SAHM I know, all friends work upwards of three days a week. They all think I love children (toddlers especially) because I've chosen to spend all day every day with mine, and attend quite a few toddler groups. This makes me first port of call for informal childcare duties, because even if another friend is also on a day off, as a SAHM I obviously love children so much I'd be delighted to look after their kids

< whispers > But really I find it a bit hard going, I just don't like children, only my own!

fabs

I agree!

I love my own - but not so bothered about other peeps' babies/kids.

They are a bit annoying really ;)

" YouChangeWithTheWeather
I don't (much) like holding other people's babies because 1. they might puke on me, 2. they might poo on me and 3. they might cry

i don't much like holding DD for those very reasons!

fabs - you and me both!

OP, YANBU. Although my mother would say that YABU.

Another YANBU.

I don't mind helping out with holding someone's baby or looking after someone else's child... but I am doing it to help the parent(s), not for myself.

The only exceptions (other than my own lovely DC!) are my nephews.

I prefer not to hold them because I just think I'm going to drop them.

I really had to put my foot down about that Poultry

During the summer holidays it was as if every kid in the street was told to knock on my door 'if they had a problem' when their parents were at work...except no-one actually asked me if I minded.

Don't get me wrong I would never turn a child away with a proper problem but asking to use my loo every 10 minutes or if they can have a drink of water because they're playing out and can't be arsed to go home...well Grrrrrr!!

The straw that broke the camel's back was when I got a call from the local Infants school, asking me to pick up my neighbour's child as he'd puked up all over his desk.

I asked why they were ringing me and they said my neighbour had put me down as an emergency number....without ever having asked me

YANBU

Hell is other people's children.

Nope - yanbu. I'm not really fussed about holding people's babies either - I just find it a bit boring or worry they'll vom, poo or start screaming.

I don't really get the 'bringing the baby into the office once it's born' thing either - in my experience most people in the office don't really care that much (and probably got bored to tears hearing about every sodding detail of the pregnancy)

I have wondered if I'll feel differently when/if I have my own? Probably not.

I don't see why people would think I'd changed just because I had 4 kids of my own: I never showed any interest in the contents of other people's pram (in fact, I've never had any interest in prams either...), I found looking after my own hard (Happy Birthday to DS4 who is now 2 and finally a bit less of a baby) and I have No Interest Whatsoever in random babies.

worra, that's indeed quite a liberty your neighbour took .

I wonder whether having grandchildren will be different??