Acquitence went to kiss toddler

[sarahmaguire]

I went to an event and it was just a few people. I have a 2 year old and we are going through the tantrum stage and crying when he can't do something.

I took something off him and that caused a small meltdown. It was just before nap time so I was getting my pram packed to go home and was looking at him but knew that we just had to go. I would take a minute or two and was right next to him. She comes and takes him and put him on her lap, doesn't ask, and then starts to mock kiss him saying "everything is ok".

I instantly get him and put him in the pram, of which is a struggle because tired toddler = only one solution.

I put the pram down flat and get him as settled as properly whilst saying Im going, and she continues to get right in his face and mock kiss. I really don't know if she will kiss him but really I wouldn't get that close to someone's kid who isn't a relative/I'm not good friends with. It was close enough for me to put my hand there to make sure.

Aibu? She has a kid the same age. I don't really want adults putting my child on their lap either, unless family or paid care. J

Just to be clear I was comforting him as much a si could but you know your child and what's best in the situation. I was also flustered and the event was winding downn so not disturbing anyone.

She's not the weird one here...

Seriously, your overreaction is odd.

Over reaction. You’re saying she violently grabbed and manhandled your child. Your framing it as an assault but that clearly wasn’t the case, was it? Calm down.

You asked if YWBU - take on board almost everyone has said yes

Sounds like the lady was just trying to help - I love the ‘takes a village’ attitude; was very happy when friends, family or acquaintances were around and we raised all our kids together - made them well rounded and part of a bigger ‘family’

The kissy noises might have been over your personal boundary, but just a silly distraction and certainly not harmful

You sound quite uptight, which is not great for your toddler; honestly you just need to let this go

It’s one of those threads where even if 100% of responses were ‘YABU’ the OP would still just argue that she’s right.

You crack on overreacting OP - parenting will be hard work with your attitude

Is she weird.. or are you ungrateful?

Yes, you didn't like it but that doesn't make her the devil. Most mothers that I know would have turned to her and said "Thanks a mill, he's tired and cranky, thanks for helping"

Your thread title is misleading... she made kissy faces at a toddler to distract them.

Oh dear OP.

Do you really think she's weird??

This is the village. This is what it looks like and this is one of the compromises, you get help, but it doesn't always confirm perfectly to what you would do.

You are massively overreacting. The woman was trying to help and entertain your child while you got sorted. What on earth is wrong with you? There was nothing unsafe in what she did.

I despair.

She couldn't have asked? So we take children and put them on our laps away from parents eyes

I totally agree. It is not even a UK thing. I live in the UK and have never encountered it. I have only seen it on here so I assume it must be aligned to a particular demographic I’m not part of.

No one agrees with you. Just accept you are in the wrong here.

You are wildly overreacting. I might not like it if someone did that with my child but it certainly wouldn't be a huge deal, as you’re making it.

OP are you OK? Do you have a DH or DP?

You sound so overwrought and are hugely overeacting to someone trying to help you. Your reactions to her and to posters on here is not normal.

Unless this woman has a lap the size of Wales, or hid your toddler up her oversized jumper or something, she can’t possibly have had her ‘away from parents’ eyes’.

Good heavens above . I think the amount of preciousness with some parents has gone way OTT .

He wasn't away from your eyes.

Stop saying she kissed your child when you know she didn't.

Every child needs a village. It isn’t always possible or available but when you find it, you roll your sleeves up.
Parenting is difficult, isolating yourself and your child from others is detrimental to their development.

“Undermining your parenting style”

Good lord, give me a break.

"Away from parents' eyes"?? How far away were you? Was she trying to do it secretly? You are making a big fuss about nothing.

What exactly were you worried about? That she is some sort of sexual predator? Seems very unlikely. I love it when other women, usually mothers, treat my toddler with genuine affection, it restores my faith in humanity a bit!

I really hope this isn't true. If it is, what a sad life you must lead. When my son was a baby, it was normal for acquaintances to pick him up and cuddle him. Don't go on holiday to a Mediterranean country. Waiters there may pick up your toddler and dance around the restaurant with him.