Last I Checked, My Daughter Isn't a Dog...

You're in the grocery store, minding your own business, when you see them approaching - the petters! You've become a pro at spotting them, their eyes light up at the sight of a baby or child and they come at you with their hands out. I can't tell you how many times I've had this happen, although it's getting better now that my DD is over a year old. But really, why do people think that it's ok to A) touch a strange child, and B) PET a strange child.

Seriously? I get it, babies and young children are cute (especially mine, she's ridiculously cute) but do they not deserve to be treated like humans? You wouldn't expect an adult to enjoy being pet (unless you do, then you go right ahead and enjoy that), and you probably wouldn't walk up to a strange adult and pet them on their head right? Then why do it to a baby? Should we not be showing them respect of their body and personal space? A pat, sure, if it's ok with the child and mom/dad/caregiver, but not a pet. There's a big difference. Besides, isn't it a dog rule that you don't approach and touch a strange dog? You don't know what that dog will do, if the dog will like you touching it or where that dog has been, so why not apply this to people too? I'm not a scientist, but I don't think human development goes: egg, cell, fetus, puppy, human adult.

I have had so many people touch and pet my daughter, it's ridiculous, I stopped counting very early on. And if I say something to them, I am suddenly the bad guy. Yes, I am a very mean person who does not want a stranger touching my child. Sorry about that. I just don't know who you are, where you've been, if you're sick and I also want to treat my child with respect. Sorry *shrug*.

It's not just strangers though. It would probably be a lot easier if it was just strangers, but nope. Everyone seems to like to pet my daughter's head and back. Hugging and normal touches are fine, but I draw the line at petting. I simply don't get it, and I kind of find it weird (am I the only one??).

So, here's my point: Please respect babies and children. Do not pet them, Do not touch them if you do not know them. Treat children like humans, please.