So, the other day in Walmart the most random thing happened. I was just strolling along, pushing my basket (or buggy as Holly would say). Kaitlyn was sitting in the front part. Let me preface this by saying that Kaitlyn had a SLIGHTLY runny nose. It was by no means running down her chin or anything. It was just a clear, slight run. Okay. So, this lady that we were next to while getting some milk literally stops in her tracks and says, "Oh my Gosh (she used the Lords name in vain however), DO YOU NEED A KLEENEX?!?!!?!" I looked at Kaitlyn thinking she was bleeding or foaming at the mouth or something outrageous - I mean, this lady was totally freaking out. When I noticed that nothing out of the ordinary was wrong with my daughter I said, "Uhh, no thank you, I have some in my bag." Are you kidding me? It was like she had never seen anything like a minor runny nose before. And just because she weirded me out, I did not even wipe Kaitlyn's nose. Just to make her mad.
It gets better. About 10 minutes later, we pass the nose Nazi again. This time she was ready for us. I swear, she was following us around the store. We started to pass each other going opposite directions. She was armed with klennex in hand - AND REACHED OUT TO WIPE KAITLYN'S NOSE. Are you serious?!?!?! I stopped her before she could though and said, "Excuse me, please don't touch my daughter." That's right. I said it. She had a look of total disgust on her face. Kaitlyn even looked cute that day! I put a bow in her hair and everything! And again, just to tick her off - I didn't wipe her nose until we got to the check out line. Not that there was even much to wipe.
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This morning on the way to school, this was our conversation:
K: It sure is foggy outside Mommy!
M: Yes it is!
K: Yeah. Maybe I can see a hog.
M: What?
K: Maybe I can see a hog.
M: A hog?
K: Yeah!!!
M: Wondering why she is thinking about a hog, and how it relates to fog.
K: I love those kinds of birds.
M: Oh, a hawk!
K: Yeah. Those are my favorite kinds of birds! Maybe I can see one of those.
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Just a couple funny stories for you! Hope you have a good Wednesday!!
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26 comments:
People are stupid. Our kid isn't even here yet, and people still feel the need to offer their (unwanted) advice. I would have flipped if someone tried to touch my kid in public.
Oh well, we live in a world of idiots aparantly.
I suppose I will let this one slide and not call CPS about you ignoring your child's runny nose. Just this once though. Don't let it happen again.
I think this is the same lady that was shopping in the Frisco Kroger a couple of weeks ago (not really, but sounds like her). My best friend was there with her two kids on a Friday evening. Let me set this up: long week, Friday at 5:30 pm, husband out of town, cranky mom, cranky kids (7 mos and 2 yrs old). There were a couple of awkward exchanges with this lady while shopping. Then, when my friend was in the check-out line this lady got behind her. My friend's two-year-old was throwing a tantrum because she wanted some Skittles and had been told no numerous times. So, the lady took the package of Skittles, threw them on the belt with my other friend's groceries and looked at the little girl and said "your mommy will buy you this candy so you can shut up now!" ARGHHHH!! The nerve!!
I cannot believe the Wal-Mart story! I will never understand what makes people think they have the right to touch other people's kids or to offer unwanted advice. I am so glad you stopped this crazy woman from wiping Kaitlyn's nose. This has never happened to me, but I have heard stories about strangers sticking their fingers in babies' mouths to check for teeth. In your case or the teeth case, I would probably go crazy in the store!
I had a very similar thing happen in Babies R Us one time with Carlie. It's just AMAZING what old ladies in particular think is okay to say and do to a "young mom"!!! She, too, followed me around the store---literally.
And, I, like you did, gave her the clear idea that I did not appreciate nor need her advice. (Or cold medicine, which is what she tried to give me.) CRAZY!
I am so proud of you in this story. Honestly, it feels odd to say that to someone who I have never had a legit conversation with, but I feel like i know you better than I actually do.
good for you for standing up and saying "no" the only thing more disturbing than the kleenex nazi is the Skittle lady story that courtney shared. Reminds me of the first time Emille and I took Bailey to church. She was like 3 weeks old. We got in late and sat on the back row. During the greeting time a lady whom I had never seen and haven't seen since walks straight up to me, holds out her arms to take Bailey and says "Can I hold your baby during church?" Some people are just amazing.
Leslie-
That is unbelieveable! What a weird lady! And I am ever so proud of you for asking her to please not touch your daughter. I'm never that quick on my feet. I probably would have just stood there, shocked. Love the "hog" story! And thanks for the laughs!
Riley always has some booger in her nose. She screams when you wipe her face. I figure...it doesn't bother her, it doesn't bother me.
The nose nazi would get me!!!
I have had total stranger ask to hold Riley. That is just stupid!
hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaaaaaaaah!
I can see myself doing the same thing some day! :) HIGH FIVE FOR LESLIE!!!
Unbelievable. Especially when the lady reached out and wiped Ken's nose. I thought that was a little over the line.
Leslie, get over it. The lady was just wanting to offer advice and help. She didn't want to offend, just offer a tissue. Wasn't a NAZI, just had a tissue to offer===wasnt stalking===she would be in jail. Its amazing, you and James obviously have a special life and a special child. K is obviously a special girl in yours and others lives. Understand that other people are there to help often---dont be so suspicious-people love small children and want to help. Sometimes these people appear with "kleenex". Other times they appear with a different kind of love. Just know that God has blessed all three of you and may have sent the "Kleenex" lady as a way of telling you that you have a beautiful child and she wanted to help. Just a different perspective.
You handled the nose nazi well. I would have been tempted to wipe her nose with my fist!
Regarding "anonymous": I agree that there are a lot of nice people out there who just want to help. I stop and chat with people like that all the time. That is not the same thing as someone random touching your child. If you are nice, expect a smile and and "hello." If you try to touch my kids, expect a stiff arm as we pass you by. Maybe it is a generational thing. People our age with kids have grown up with enough child predator stories to make us all paranoid. I think you handled yourself well.
Wow! What awesome comments! Courtney - that story is unbelievable!
And to anonymous: I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. But if you would have seen this lady, you would know that she was not just a nice woman lending a helping hand. "Nazi" may have been a harsh word to use, but you obviously don't know me or my sense of humor.
And, I am over it. I was over it the day it happened. I just thought it was a funny "blogable" moment to share. If you thought I was truly upset about it for days and days, then again - you don't know me very well.
I appreciate your comment though. Feel free to voice your opinion anytime!!
Campbell has a runny nose right now and I better not see anyone with tissue in hand trying to touch her today.(ha,ha) I would have done the same thing. How rude! I expect a tissue in hand at practice tonight. See you later.
oh man! I love that story. I'm soooo proud of you for not letting her wipe Kaitlyn's nose! I might not have stood up to her!
People and their advice are amazing...it really does start at pregnancy (strangers wanting to touch your belly...oooh gross!) and keeps on after they are kids. People are always talking to me about Sam sucking his thumb...yes, I am very aware that he does this and no I can't get him to stop and hope he is not a teenage boy that does it!
Good for you standing up for yourself...
well, i'm officially creeped out by your anonymous blog stalker...
That is unreal. I would have reamed her a new one. Well, probably not since I'm all talk. I'm so proud of my Leslie!
Leslie-
I have enjoyed reading your blog (I found it through Kate's). Katelyn is such a cutie and I love the stories about her! I hardly ever post comments on anyone's blog because I'm usually too busy chasing my kiddos, but I really wanted to take the time to respond to "anonymous". Not trying to stir the pot, here, just wanted to offer my perspective.
Anonymous, I don't know if you have any kids. I, like Leslie, have a 2-year-old little girl. I feel that, as a mama, it is part of my job description to protect my little girl - I don't delude myself into thinking I can protect from everything. I trust the Lord for His protection of her, and I also trust the instinct that He has given me to step in and offer my protection when it is appropriate - with a 2-year-old that happens quite frequently!
The lady in Wal-Mart was most likely simply a person who wanted to offer her assistance to a cute little girl. Who or what she was is less important to me than what that specific instance teaches my little girl. Leslie had already turned down the kleenex (not rudely - it sounds like she was polite about it). The lady then ignored the boundary that Leslie had, in my opinion, pretty clearly defined and tried to wipe Kaitlyn's nose herself. I want my daughter to understand that, when she or I say no to a stranger (or anyone), it means something. For Leslie to have allowed the woman to go ahead and wipe Kaitlyn's nose would have communicated to Kaitlyn that Mommy's "no" doesn't mean much and maybe hers doesn't either.
Maybe it seems like a stretch, but I think kids pick up on very subtle messages, even when we don't think they are paying attention. There are 10 registered sex offenders that live in my immediate vicinity (I don't live in the ghetto) and likely a bunch more that haven't been caught yet. I want to equip my daughter with the confidence to be comfortable setting boundaries, particularly when it is in regards to her body and who is allowed to touch it (I don't really care if it's just her nose - her nose and her butt are pretty equally private as far as she's concerned right now).
I wish we lived in next door to John-boy and the Ingalls family, but we don't. I don't want to raise a fearful or rude child, but I do want one that is aware and able to assert herself when she feels the need.
Yikes....stepping down off my soap box. I think you handled the situation beautifully, Leslie, and I think Kaitlyn was likely taking notes!
Amanda (Sheppard) Turk
Just another post to say sorry I can't spell Kaitlyn's name:)
holy moly-i was going to comment on how psycho that lady was at the grocery store, and then how funny Kaitlyn is, but then i saw how you had 23 comments posted and thought..."Leslie is a ROCKSTAR" that's the most comments EVER!!! you are famous!!! :)
UNBELIEVABLE!! I, too, am proud of you for standing up!! Just last weekend we were at Starbucks with some friends and a woman asked if it was okay for her daughter (probably about 2) to kiss Braden. I didn't know what to say...so she pecked him on the cheek and we laughed after they walked out. CRAZY people!!
I put a link to your blog from mine because I had a crazy Wal-Mart experience too. What is with the Wal-Marts in Abilene?
I JUST started reading your blog and, boy, I am really missing out!
The nerve of some people! Especially in Walmart!
I hear that you are keeping Erica busy and getting to keep the girls! I am so jealous! I am also glad that Erica has someone cool to do stuff with. I am definitely going to keep reading!
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