Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Another mum cuddling child in playground

130 replies

ClaireP20 · 09/10/2020 10:07

Hello, I have a 12 month old baby, and when I go to pick up my 2 older children from school, one of the mums is picking my baby up and cuddling her. It started last month, she came up and picked up the baby, saying how gorgeous she was. It was so quick (she wasnt strapped in, my fault) that I was gobsmacked, but smiled and then said I had to go etc. We are all supposed to social distance in the playground, so I was really surprised but polite. Anyway, from then on I have strapped baby in and kept my distance. However yesterday she ran over to me outside the gates and, as I was setting up the buggy ride on for my 4 year old to get on, she unstrapped my baby and cuddled her again. This time she had taken her mask off. I just watched, like the idiot that I am, and eventually took baby back. She really didn't want to let my baby go though! I didn't want to hurt her feelings because I know she means well, but I don't know her well enough for her to cuddle my baby, especially during a global pandemic. My sister said I should say something next time, but I am the one who has to do the school run everyday! Was I right to let it go? How can I avoid it next time? Xxx

OP posts:
WhatifIfeellikeacat · 09/10/2020 19:02

I can't believe people are this cheeky! Who unstraps someone else's baby from their pram at any time, never mind during covid!

I also hate when strangers or even friends touch baby's hands. Why do some do it?

Original poster
ClaireP20 · 09/10/2020 19:13

Smile thank you xxx

OP posts:
Gobbycop · 09/10/2020 19:15

Fuck sake, you need to speed up your reaction time.

Boxing will help.

GreyWall · 09/10/2020 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

GreyWall · 09/10/2020 19:22

God forbid you come across a child snatcuer

GreyWall · 09/10/2020 19:22

Snatcher Wink

MiddleClassProblem · 09/10/2020 19:25

[quote GreyWall]@ClaireP20.... Clap.... Clap... Clap.... You parented Hmm FFS[/quote]
And you wrote a twatty, unempathetic reply! Claps all round! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 09/10/2020 19:31

We have a few over familar mums in out school, quite often i have to say please dont touch her, when she was new born i had a sign saying i have allergies please do not touch me, my girl is anaphylaxis to nuts, dairy and soya ot drives me mental but ive learnt not to be polite now , i just say do not touch her and if needed move away.

IHateCoronavirus · 09/10/2020 19:37

You did the right thing op. Stay strong next week.
Picking up a baby you are not related to or very close to is not a normal thing to do, and I say that as a broody baby admirer. Standing back, smiling adoringly and maybe complementing the parent on their cute little bundle of joy, fair enough. Anything else, is a tad unhinged.

FilledSoda · 09/10/2020 19:41

Keep maintaining your boundaries, it'll become second nature.

makingmammaries · 09/10/2020 19:52

Keep the rain cover on. Problem solved.

Original poster
ClaireP20 · 09/10/2020 19:56

@FilledSoda

Keep maintaining your boundaries, it'll become second nature.
I will - I feel stronger already...tough mama here I am!
OP posts:
BananaLlamaConCalma · 09/10/2020 20:04

Very proud of you! Well done!

What kind of idiot feels that strongly about touching other people's babies that they do it during a pandemic? Selfish fucker!

Beautiful3 · 09/10/2020 22:36

Well done op!

Doliv63 · 10/10/2020 00:22

Well done Claire ...I have been at work until 11pm and your post I wanted to catch up on . Sometimes as a Mother it is really hard at the school gate to be assertive but you have navigated really well.Xx

MadameMeursault · 10/10/2020 00:30

@Mrsjayy

Strap your baby in and tell her to just leave the baby . Why are you not clipping the baby in the buggy Hmm
Do you actually read the post?
ZeldaFighter · 10/10/2020 00:38

Just a further suggestion- if you have or could find contact details, possibly via a mutual friend or social media, you could write a message to her saying "It's nice that you want to hold baby but there is a pandemic and we need to social distance. It's making me uncomfortable so please can you stop picking baby up in the playground. Thank you "

Might get the message across clearly if doing it in the moment is hard.

diamond4u · 10/10/2020 00:56

If you feel you can't say it direct, maybe just say please don't pick her up as once she gets out it's a struggle to get her back in.

Casschops · 10/10/2020 02:08

My friend's baby is now fivr months old. She is only just now aĺlowing people to hold him. I sat on a bench in the park with him the other day and he was gorgeous all chunky and squishy. Despite this I would never ever pick him up without asking or unless she asked me. Never.

Casschops · 10/10/2020 02:10

Ps. Well done Op.

Itisbetter · 10/10/2020 09:04

My friend's baby is now fivr months old. She is only just now aĺlowing people to hold him. I sat on a bench in the park with him the other day and he was gorgeous all chunky and squishy. Despite this I would never ever pick him up without asking or unless she asked me. Never.
ShockShockShock
WHY are you doing this?

ppeatfruit · 10/10/2020 09:16

Congratulations Claire Now Grin it' ll get easier Grin

KarmaStar · 10/10/2020 10:12

Yanbu to be annoyed but you are far more bu for not protecting your baby.
Why does any future school run prevent you from ensuring your helpless baby is kept safe?
You must step up and firmly and politely remind her of social distancing and stop her picking your baby up.
Really you should not need to be told this.

Original poster
ClaireP20 · 10/10/2020 10:49

@KarmaStar

Yanbu to be annoyed but you are far more bu for not protecting your baby. Why does any future school run prevent you from ensuring your helpless baby is kept safe? You must step up and firmly and politely remind her of social distancing and stop her picking your baby up. Really you should not need to be told this.
You're right - I have learned, it's just that I have 3 kids and this is the first time it's happened to me - I will make sure I step up and it WON'T happen again, I promise! Xx
OP posts:
FunDragon · 10/10/2020 10:57

Covid aside, what weird behaviour from someone you don’t know very well! Actually unstrapping someone else’s baby for a cuddle!

Glad you sorted it though OP.