Actually she's a grandparent. She picks her grandson up from nursery at the same time as I'm picking up my daughter. It's a small village, everyone knows everyone. It seems like every day she finds a reason to make some holier than thou comment or roll eyes or make a grimace.
I guess because she has known me since I was a toddler myself. I don't think she would say these things to her peers.
Some examples:
"You're letting her use a balance bike? What if she goes out on the road??"
"Your daughter doesn't want to sit and sing the songs on your lap?? Oh my. I would insist. "
"Shouldn't she be in bed?" (She saw us out at 8pm one night)
"You're letting her touch those stones? God only knows. "
"A lollipop? She could choke. I hate those things. "
"Of course you'll probably make sure you get first priority on the waiting list for the place at the playgroup, what with your husband working away."
""You have to hold their hands at all times. I can't watch you letting her walk by herself. "
I guess I don't have the nerve to tell her to back off.
The children are 3.
And it doesn't help that sheer coincidence has conspired so that my daughter has appeared on more than one occasion to save her stubbornness and waywardness for RIGHT when we're walking past this woman's house or she's in our immediate company aaaaaarrrgh.
I can't avoid her but it feels like most times I see her she gets under my skin.