How do you react to negative comments about your child?

[Suzie2020]

Hi guys I really struggle with how to react to people’s comments or reactions when it comes to my toddler. I don’t usually say anything but then I work myself up after the event.

For example today I was in costa with my 4 year old and She wasn’t being bad at all she spotted the chocolate coins and was saying “mmmm yummy chocolate coins! Chocolate coins!” And an old woman behind me said “what’s wrong with her” I replied “nothing” and she said “it seems to me there’s something wrong with her”. I was so upset. How would you have reacted?

Ignore.

My DD has always been very tall for her age and looked about 4 when she was 2 but her speech was obv at a 2 year olds level. I used to get comments about her being ‘delayed’ , so fucking rude.

I wish all parents (including me when my kids were younger) got the ability to tell people to fuck off that you develop when you have a child with SN.

I used to be polite but over the years I have developed a tough carapace and I simply don't care about being polite any more. Someone is rude to me about my child? I will be rude back. If you stare or talk under your breath, I will call you out.

It has taken me years to be like this though. Years.

"Excuse me?!" With the most raised eyebrows you possibly can.

Then say the only thing wrong with your child is her day is being ruined by the old fart bitch behind her on the queue.

To be honest I probably wouldn't have noticed the woman. If I had I would have given her a nervous smile and ignored her. Clearly something wrong with the woman and she was possibly talking to/ about herself.

People seem to know nothing about child development and to forget anything they once knew as soon as their child is past that stage (both perfectly fair enough) but still comment on it (not perfectly fair enough). The other day a very vague acquaintance told me it was 'very strange' that my 14 month old isn't talking because 'most children talk in sentences by his age'

My sister constantly told me I split ds and he was spoilt and would grown up horrible and I should let him cry. He was 8 mths old. She wants children desperately and is struggling. I ignored her, was my mom who broke and shouted at her about it once.
People have there own issues smile and ignore - annoys them more anyway

I have to admit I’m not very good at this. I say rude things like “why are you such a nosy bastard?”

It’s unexpected because I look quite meek and mild in my Breton stripes and converse kit. But I grew up in Tottenham where you’d get shanked for getting up in a strangers grill, so ask me a cunty question and you’re going to get one back.

Also yep I get the tall thing got asked it laods when ds was tiny as he looked way older than he was. Ohh can't he walk yet.. Err he's 5 mths old so no...

People are jealous. In relationships with men who don’t want children

Wow, talk about a leap. That was outstanding. Even by MN standards.

Do you really think this old woman is really in a relationship with a man who doesn’t want children, and is therefore jealous of the OP?

labella what the fuck are you wittering on about? 😄

I get asked is he in nursery? No he is year two he is delayed "sigh" too much television? NO IT ISNT TOO MUCH FUCKING TV twats

People always mention my sons height, he is small and petite, as am I.

But some people are just so rude, and then get themselves all in a tizz, when they get the "you are a dick" stare and just take themselves off.

It used to really upset me and make me worry terribly about him, some people just don't think before they speak.