Be nice to new parents

[lurker172602]

Yesterday I went, with my DiL and her brand new baby, to their local shopping mall. It was her first venture out of home, sans my son, since the baby was born and naturally she was a bit anxious about everything.
LP (littlest prince) was a bit unsettled and crying, but we knew he had just been fed and changed and was ok so we were just carrying on pushing him in his pram waiting for him to settle.
Several people passing by gave us sympathetic looks or little nice comments except for one woman (40ish I'd say)who shot us the most horrible "do something for that baby you terrible mother" look. I tried to make light of it by telling DiL that she was probably only jealous because she didn't have a baby as beautiful as ours etc but, of course, she (Ms evil eye) was the one G took most notice of and was upset by.
New parents have enough to contend with already. Please don't make it harder for them by making judgements about things that may be happening that you know absolutely nothing about. Or, if you must please keep them to yourself.
Thank you.
Rant over.

[amber-eyed-girl]

Congratulations on the new baby, but new mum is going to get all sorts of looks. Some of which won't be anything to do with her and the baby, but just what people are thinking about anyway...bad day etc. so try to not take it personally and smile back at the pleasant people 😉

feeling protective of your daughter is lovely, but if you show her not to worry about looks (as said already) she will feel less bothered, too.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

lurker, I know exactly what you are saying, and I dont think your dil is overreacting or highlystrung..its only natural to be a bit nervous or wary the first times out...its instinctive..

I was living in Sydney the first time I took my son out, we went to the city. He was in one of those baby carriers strapped to my upper body- a beautiful day, so I walked in Hyde Park, across to David Jones, went in to DJs so that I could feed him, and in the lift this old crone said to me 'He shouldnt be out! Hes too little!' I was stuck in the lift, so couldnt escape her evil looks..I think I meekly replied something like 'Hes fine'..and tried to ignore her, but it put such a downer on the first time out..I could have said- mind your own business or something, but, really, it was just ignorance- he was 6 weeks old!

When I see new parents out (and you can usually tell)and they catch my eye- I might say 'oh how wonderful and sweet!' looking at their new baby..but would never presume to say more or touch..

Hope you are getting lots of cuddles and both your dil and son are enjoying these smoochy days