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

Some women on this site greatly enjoy reprimanding other women and telling them what to do.

I actually find this thread quite ageist. A woman in her 60s is not a little frail old lady. Dm is 71 and has more energy than I do, and I am 30 years younger than her!

People's opinions are subjective and can be shaped by experience/personality too. Everybody's view is valid, whether you agree with op or not. Personally I would just cross the road/go a different route (if something like this was bothering me, and hadn't stopped with a simple request).
If I wasn't sure if I was over reacting maybe the thread, but op seems to have strong views, so I am a little unsure on what is to be gained here.
However I will repeat 60's age bracket is NOT 80's!!

Re ageism. The discussion seems to have become about everyone else's interpretation rather than OP's words. She said "old"; she didn't say frail, confused or incapable. Those ideas have been introduced by other posters, some genuinely, some sarcastically, and people are now arguing against meanings they themselves have added.

OP also said she's nowhere near 40. If she's in her 20s, then it's entirely unsurprising that she'd describe someone in their 60s or 70s as old. Whether those in their 60s feel old is beside the point. To someone four or five decades younger, they are. That's simply how age is perceived relative to your own stage of life, not evidence of ageism.

I don't understand why you asked the question OP. You have clearly made up your mind. Why bother to post it.?

This is a valid point. & why I said in a previous post when I was 17 I described someone at 32 as looking great for being that old.

Looking back I realise it was a perception according to my age at the time. Perhaps it's time to educate young people that describing anyone as 'an old lady' regardless of age is condescending & patronising.

If for example you were a hairdresser you wouldn't show pictures to an 80 plus women & say I usually recommend this style for an old lady & you would suit it.

This for me sums up the feeling of those who dislike the expression. It has absolutely nothing to do with the aging process. That is a blessing not to be taken for granted.

'Hello Officer, I'm calling because my neighbour said hello and touched my child's face once.'

Comedy gold.

The police are kicking their heels with little to do so will be thankful for a real case to sink their teeth into.

It's slightly ironic that the same posters who are suggesting that OP is being rude are the ones who are continually coming back to kick the boot in...

A fair point.