Mama Bear

At the post office this week, another mother holding a toddler looked at my daughter and then said to me, “Oh, how old is she? She’s so small.”

I punched her in the face.

No, no. I didn’t resort to physical violence. I politely told her that yes, Nicole is small for a 20-month-old. I also added, “I swear I feed her, she just won’t grow.” The woman proceeded to say that her daughter was 18 months old and was so much bigger than Nicole.

Why do people think it is OK to say things like this? I doubt anyone would go up to a mother with an overweight child and say, “Wow, how many pounds is that fatty weighing in at these days?”

I’m sure the nosy lady in the post office didn’t mean any harm or offense, but I couldn’t help feeling a little miffed. I guess it’s that Mama-Bear instinct to protect our child and defend our mothering skills.

Next time, I’d like to have some clever retort ready. Perhaps something like, “Yes, we’ve got her on a strict no-carb diet. Gotta watch that holiday bloat.”

What sets off your protective Mama-Bear instincts? And how do you politely handle nosy strangers who feels it’s OK to comment on your child and mothering abilities?