Do you mind people touching your children?

[Mosschops30]

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Depends on the person doing the touching, I suppose.

Not keen on strangers touching DS's face (then again, don't think he is either!).

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I don't like it, my fierce mummy instinct kicks in but then again, I suppose it's fairly instinctive on their part too. Would prefer that they didn't though.

Oh god, just realised ... there's this completely munchable baby brother of one of the kids in ds1's class. I almost always go and say hi and stroke his face (luuuurve that baby soft skin!) and say hi to his mum.

I've probably mortally offended her now

I think it's a cultural thing - in some other countries, people are far more "touchy feely" with children and babies, even to the extent of scooping them out of the supermarket trolley for a cuddle. If someone did that here, they'd be arrested .

I honestly don't mind, because I'm there and although we teach our kids not to speak to strangers when they are older, when they are little and cute they do draw attention, I find it hard at times not to cooo over a cute little baby, I remember one time in Mothercare changing room a baby was being changed and I had put my own baby back in her pram, the baby was very upset and I held my hand out and took hold of the little ones fingers and was saying to the baby oh whats the matter don't you like having your nappy changed, baby stopped crying straight away, but the look on the Mothers face told me straight not to touch, so I left go of the baby hand smiled and left the changing room, If this was someone doing this with my own baby I wouldn't mind in the slightest, because of course I'm there and in control.

yes I agree it's a cultural thing
I was, however, very surprised to notice Chinese flavour adult men patting my ds1 in a very busy playground without making eye contact or checking with me. And part of that surprise was I didn't realise he was so Chinese looking, I mean I checked with DH that he wouldn't have been petted or touched if he was an obviously white child.

IYSWIM

I think it lovely when people do that TBH. we only ever hear about people moaning about kids etc and its so nice when people take an interest and cooo at our children instead.

I know this is a bit different, but I remember when ds1 was a baby and we had some people round at our house. Ds1 was having a nap but woke up while one of our friends was upstairs. He heard ds1 and took him out of his cot to bring him downstairs. I was on my way upstairs to get ds1 and can't describe the anger I felt at someone else picking him up!!!! Silly really, and I don't think I'd feel like that now, but I felt soooooo protective and worried that ds1 wouldn't know who this stranger was picking him up!

no I don't mind at all tbh. I think it's lovely. It is probably a cultural thing; I come from a background where you would absolutely not feel inhibited about doing this...
I am a notorious hair ruffler myself.

I would not be overjoyed about strangers touching ds's face. It's a very intimate gesture, IMO inappropriate unless you know the person well. Would not mind so much if it was hands / hair etc. Saw interesting cultural comparison charts once of where it is acceptable to be touched by acquaintances / friends / family. Does vary quite widely as people have pointed out!

I don't mind at all.

[PS don't bring your child to Spain then, Mosschops]

To me it depends on the person and the situation. Generally I would say I don't like it if total strangers touch my children's faces.

i didnt think i'd mind, but being here in paris, people have taken to ruffling DD1's hair as they walk past and complete strangers will touch DD2's cheek even though she's in a sling.... so it now pisses me off