Belly Rubbing

jadwedd

I was just wondering how everyone felt about people rubbing their bellies.  I have very little personal space at work because I am a pre k teacher, so my belly has been getting rubbed and talked to and listened to by 4 year olds for a few months.  And my mom and some coworkers rub it and talk to it.  It doesn't really bother me because there is something in there and I think she can feel all the love and excitement.  But my boss told a co worker not to do rub the belly because people don't like that.  I told her that the baby loves it :P  But am I weird?  Like I do not think that I would like a complete stranger doing it, but friends and family and little kids don't bother me, I think its cute.  I had one little peanut who is usually wild come over and kiss the baby goodbye because it was the last day of school and he is going to miss the baby!  How does everyone else feel about the belly rubbing topic?

Hinessn

I'm not a touchy feely person so it would bug me. I don't mind DH doing it at all, and for the most part I don't mind it when my mother visits but only in moderation. I havent had anyone attempt to touch my belly without asking first, and only then it's been maybe 3 people. DH talks to her all the time and I think that is cute - anyone else I would think is just weird. But thats just me!

kimberm0511

I know a lot of women hate it, but I don't mind it.  But, that's probably because I am guilty of being a belly rubber!  I am always reaching for my friend's bellies.  Hopefully I'm not getting on their nerves!  

Also, I would never touch a stranger's belly...or someone I didn't know well.  That's a little weird I guess.   

KdgTeacher

I haven't had someone I don't know come up and rub me, or even try.  My students didn't touch my stomach, but they are a bit older (9 and 10).  I don't mind family doing it, and even now most of the time they ask before they do it.  I always joked with MH that as long as you know my first name I wouldn't mind. 

baker916

I think I'm with you.  I love it when DH rubs and kisses my belly and talks to our daughter.  Family and close friends don't bother me.  Little kids wouldn't either.  The fact that they're excited about the baby is pretty cute.  

A total stranger on the street or in the elevator is not ok though.  

JewelsW1980

I'm REALLY close with my Mom and that side of the family and DHs family but if my father or his wife tried to touch me, Id likely hurt their feelings and say No. Well really anyone but those two and his family. I LOVE when DH talks to him and kisses my tummy.

Father's wife actually texted me before a dinner one time asking if she could rub my belly and I told her No, no one touches me but DH, which was a boldfaced lie but she doesn't need to know that. I cringe at the thought of them holding him when he's here.

Laurakat81

Kids don't bother me at all. My niece and nephew love to feel her kick and I wouldn't want them to miss the chance. Close family/friends don't bother me either. The rest of the world though, co-workers, some friends and family, and strangers....better back away! Asking first is usually okay. I'm not all that touchy feely myself unless I'm really very close to someone and I have never reached out and touched a pregnant belly so I certainly am not okay with others doing it to me.

conradtn

I don't mind close friends and family, but only 1 person has gone after my belly other than DH.

DebateThis

I'm not a fan. There are a handful of people that don't bug me but the rest can keep their hands off my darn stomach.

Native+Girl

There's no way I could keep my dad, mom, and grandparents from rubbing my belly. DH and close family don't bother me at all, although my ILs have been very respectful and haven't even attempted. In fact, the only way my 4-yr-old niece will hug me is if I tell her to give Levi a hug.

Co-workers were warned early on that belly-touching is completely off-limits unless they wanted to pull back a nub. This goes for strangers too. It's just odd to me why anyone thinks it's appropriate to caress someone's belly when you're not close to that person.

My shower is this weekend, and I'm gearing up for some familial belly rubs. The thought gives me major anxiety, but I'll suck it up for one day.

MrsChopp

baker916:

I think I'm with you.  I love it when DH rubs and kisses my belly and talks to our daughter.  Family and close friends don't bother me.  Little kids wouldn't either.  The fact that they're excited about the baby is pretty cute.  

A total stranger on the street or in the elevator is not ok though.  

 This exactly! I love when my niece/nephew come up and kiss each side of my belly (1 for each baby). And DH woke me up this morning by rubbing my belly :-)

But strangers, no thank you! (Thankfully no one has tried yet).

asilwhite

I haven't had a stranger rub it yet, but I have had family and close friends rub it and I really don't care. Normally it's when I'm seeing them and I'm a hugger so we go in for a hug and normally there is a belly rub before or after.

Now if some rando came up to me I might smack a hand away as a natural reaction. I have personal space issues with strangers.  

lily_721

I didn't mind friends and family rubbing my belly. Granted it was infrequent so it was NBD. When I was 38 weeks, a random woman grabbed my belly with both hands in a restaurant restroom. I was shocked. She apologized. It was super weird