Old lady keeps approaching my toddler, making me feel uncomfortable

[housinghun]

I have a 2 year old and and when we go out sometimes we will see an older lady (about 60s early 70s) and she will always approach my son.

It started off as "Can I say hello?".
I agreed.

Next time she attempted to remove his cap "to see his face".
This made me feel extremely uncomfortable, touching my son.

OH took our son out last week and he told me that an old lady had smiled through the window at them as they walked past.
She had come running out the house and shouted "hello" but by that time they were gone down the road.
It was her.
I had never really mentioned this to him and this was the first time he has seen her.

I know it's innocent but it makes me feel really uncomfortable now going past as I don't want a stranger touching my son.

I did tell her "please don't touch him" as I don't want him getting used to strangers touching him.

I am over protective of my son but just wanted others views.
AIBU to feel this way?

AIBU

It's like it's not registering on here with certain folk.

Consent.

I have told this woman to not touch my child.
It dosent matter if you disgree, or she disagrees with that choice.

She has continued to try and hold his hand and hug him. That's not okay.

I am unsure what part of that posters do not seem to understand or grasp.

Maybe the PCSO can get her some help instead of bothering/touching random peoples kids.

Very ironically intended I don’t think in the same terms as the thread…I was just trying to prevent a Boo Radley situation

It’s a natural human instinct for people to want to touch babies or small children.

No, it's not and I never see it out and about.

The house will then fall into ruinous disrepair and strange lights will be seen..a legend of a grey lady will frighten local children…the strange and ghostly sound of her rushing to get in the street to touch babies will be heard …but there’s no one there …..
👻

Burn the witch! 🧙

50 years ago old women were harmless but now theyre a danger?

Thread title says 'Old Lady' now she is about 60

'PCSO can get her some help' more likely they will just laugh. Its very sad though that it seems to be a ganging up of mums against a lady who probably only means well.

Stands by for next drip feed saying the lady is brandishing a weapon when she comes out if the house and several young babies have disappeared lately in the area!😮

Reminds me of the old man in home alone who turned out to be lovely

@suburberphobe I have never experienced it until I come across this woman.

Sure it's nice when people say hello to him and wave as he loves waving. But never had anyone touch him like that.

If this was an older gent I am sure the comments would be calling him all sorts but because it's "a harmless older lady" it's fine.

Well if he was offering a werthers original, he'd be fine

lol @Flamingojune

I mean, it literally is. We're related to great apes and it's a natural instinct and facilitates group bonding and oxytocin production.

Too much social media consumption has addled women's minds 😂 we're as bad as men now 🙈

Same. I’m 60 and definitely don’t see myself as a little old lady. Mid eighties maybe, but very ageist language here.

If you are so convinced you are right, why did you come on here to ask if you were right?
If it was to have your ego boosted by people telling you you are a great mum for protecting your child, you got that.
If it was to ruffle feathers with ancient 60+ posters, you got that too.
Unless you just enjoy drama. You got that too.
Win -win.

My last post broke talk guidelines. I will make the same point in a more sober and respectful way.

OP, now that it is established that the woman in her 60s behaves in a way that is problematic to the extent that your neighbourhood is talking about her, I would like to ask why you don't just cross the road when she is out in public at the same time as you. That would be the simplest way to protect your child.

Typo

My thoughts exactly! Cross the road, and honestly it sounds more like an annoyance than a threat that needs a whole MN thread about.

Let's not forget op said this woman stares out or her window and waits, then comes out of her house. I doubt she would get across the road with a walking stick fast enough, let a lone see that far considering this is apparently an "elderly little old lady" at the grand age of 60 odd. Although she does sound like a spritely old dear 😂

It's obvious it's a wind up. We are now ancient 😂😂

An elderly neighbour on our road used to like a chat when DD was a baby. During one conversation, she was horrified to discover I was returning to work. 'Your mummy's leaving you and going back to work. She doesn't want to look after you. No, she doesn't.' she said directly to DD. I politely explained my childcare arrangements. After that, if she was on the pavement when we emerged, I used to push the pram across the road and wave cheerily because I didn't want to a repeat performance. Quite simple really.

i’ve never understood this either OP.

We bring our kids up telling them being touched without their permission is not ok yet if their are between the ages of what newborn and 3/4 it’s ok to have random people come up, touch them and say they’re adorable?!?

How about you just don’t touch people you don’t know full fucking stop regardless of their age??

Apes pick things out of each other's fur too. Would you be happy for someone to come up and start picking through your hair?

OP. I never comment but please ignore posters who say you are OTT. You are absolutely not over the top. People justifying 'oh but she's just an old lady' so where do you draw the line, would you say the same if it was an old man touching a little girl? why does that give her a free pass to ignore OPS boundaries and do as she pleases? She may well be just an old lady but it doesn't mean shes a good person. People just assume old and lonely are good people or can do as they want because they are lonely and they might not get any other interaction 🙄 If old people are lonely they should find groups and interact with other people in the same situation. It's really not OPS problem and she shouldn't feel guilted or uncomfortable. I would never feel entitled when I am old to inflict myself upon others just because I am feeling lonely, especially not if someone had specifically asked me not to touch THEIR child.

The last time I saw her she was coming out of the shop as we were going in. Face to face.

As soon as I knew where she lived, (went past as she was gardening) I have avoided going down that road.

From now on when I see her I will defo cross over and same goes for OH.

🤣
You strange human