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March 2015 Moms
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What's your excuse?!?

gdamore11gdamore11 member
in March 2015 Moms
So I have a family business in retail that my parents, my husband and I all run together. It's been great because I don't have to put LO in daycare for now since we're all there and take turns watching him while we work. My husband is such a proud papa and likes to carry our son around while he sometimes greets customers. This has lead to random people asking to hold our baby. We both have a hard time saying no when people put us on the spot and we don't want to be rude! Yesterday, I look up and see this random woman holding my son and kissing him all over his face!!!! I was so upset I had to walk upstairs and distract myself until it was over.... Then gave him a wipes bath immediately after. It baffles me how some people don't understand boundaries when it comes to babies. It's one thing to ask to hold him, but cover his face in your germs?!?!? I was freaking out and trying to refrain from making a scene. I know the easy thing to say is "he's going through his stranger danger stage" or something to that effect. But it is still hard to say no when they flat out ask and they are customers in our store! It also infuriates me when they get their perfume all over him and then he smells like them the rest of the day. What do you ladies do in this situation? Any better excuses I should try so I don't make people feel bad??? Help!
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Re: What's your excuse?!?

  • SharLovesAlexSharLovesAlex member
    I had the same problem. I don't like or understand strangers touching someone else's baby...I was told I need to be blunt and just politely ask that they not do that. I haven't had another instance if strangers pawing at my LO yet, so I haven't had to say anything. But if I had seen what you saw, I would have walked up to her and told her off. It's one thing to touch his arms or hands (which is not okay because he puts them in his mouth) but to be kissing his face?? Oh no. She wouldve gotten an earful that day.
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  • EricandKarenEricandKaren member
    I wouldve had a heart attack! That sounds awful!!!!
    Do you have a baby carrier? That may help deter people from asking? We bought a used Lillebaby from a local Facebook moms group that I love wearing him facing in or out, and we borrowed a bjorn from a friend that my husband likes to wear him facing out. My 70 year old mother even likes to wear him! Even if facing out, a stranger may touch his hands but doubt they would ask to hold or lean in for a kiss!!! Just an idea.
    I hope that woman never comes back to your store!
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  • toimadness1toimadness1 member
    I would claim it was what the doctor told me. "I'm sorry but my doctor has warned me not to let anyone get to close to his face and hands as illnesses have been going around." I usually find if its from the doctor people give it more credence then if it's just the mothers opinion.
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  • gdamore11gdamore11 member
    Thanks for letting me know I wasn't crazy!!! My husband acted annoyed when he saw how upset it made me. I agree that wearing him is a good way to deter people... Actually doing this every time we're walking around with him may be less likely though. I guess I'll have to just try the doctor excuse to get my point across. It just sucks because I never have a problem speaking my mind, but it's a whole different mindset when it's your business and you are trying to be pleasant to customers :^o
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  • Christina80xoxoChristina80xoxo member
    I have a hard time with that too. This is kind of strange, but we are Mexican. The town I live in is 91% Mexican. There is this thing called "mal ojo " it's a belief that if someone looks at your baby and is jealous or admirers them, they have to touch the baby or they could make the baby very sick. People always want to touch her because of that and it's uncomfortable for me. I usually have her in a carrier, so when this happens, I put both of her hands in one of mine and use my other hand to put her foot out for them to touch. Then I wipe her down after. I humor it because I understand in my situation it's coming from a good place. I don't like it either though :/ if I was in your shoes, I would feel awkward as well. People can read body language, maybe if you hold your little one tight or say baby is getting fussy because they are sleepy they might take the hint without being offended? That's a tough one. I don't get it, I never try to touch or hold stranger's babies?!
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