Am I being precious to hate it when people say they are going to steal my DD?

[Speckledfroggys]

We have an amazing little toddler DD. She's so lovely and happy and we love her to bits. Family often say "oh we're going to kidnap her" or "we'll take her home and you can take our (pet, goldfish, their DC whatever) instead" and I really hate it!

I always read threads where people are complaining about what their MIL wants to be called to DC or their DM kissing their grandkids or whatever and think it is unreasonable but this one gets me - is it me? We love her to bits and objectively think we're good parents - why do people keep saying it?!

I reckon I'm just being a total precious loon but felt the need to make a thread about it.

Read the updates people, OP has already said she is being U! Why are people piling in with personal insults!

Going against everyone else and agreeing with you OP! My MIL says every single time about taking DD away with her and it's gotten old and seriously grating now. YANBU.

Yabu unreasonable, unless you actually think they mean it. it is a himourous way of saying your child is lovely, not an assertion that they think you parenting isnt up to snuff.
Take it as the compliment it is intended o be rather than digging for evidence of a slight

Apologies. Just read your update. As you were

OP, this made me laugh because I completely get the irrational protective reaction even when it flies in the face of all common sense and even when your rational brain is laughing at your primal brain!

Of course you're right that it's just light-hearted comments (it's also a compliment to you!) and there's absolutely no justification for saying anything to anybody about it but you're not going mad - it's just your deep-seated instinct having its say!

As long as you can have a little laugh at yourself, acknowledge the reaction to yourself in a kind way but not actually allow it to affect your relationships, I think it's all just part of the rich tapestry!

Erm..I don't get it

Just wait a couple of years OP, you'll be trying to take them up on their offer.

Hmm. If people said to you “Your DH is gorgeous, I’d love to steal him away and shag him” - would that just be a nice compliment for you to smile at too? Or would you feel a bit uneasy and threatened and think it was inappropriate?
I’m just musing, by the way, not saying it’s comparable, but I can sort of see why OP maybe isn’t comfortable with it.
And I think I will stop saying it to parents about their babies!

At work we often joke with parents about who's in the queue to adopt/take home/ run off with their child. I believe it's usually taken as a compliment!

Perhaps a bit precious as it's clearly said with love, but I do get it. I think it's just something about the way it's said that just irrationally gets you. My MIL always refers to my child as 'Little' DC. I know there's absolutely nothing wrong with that but it grates on me no end.