https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:37:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689461 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 01:02:26 +0000 pwnstar 2689461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FannyMae: 🐻💯</p> <p>@LCTBQE: A nice suburb of large metro area. Which is, ironically, probably part of the issue--because it's *nice*--what's there to worry about? AS IF! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689423 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:26:07 +0000 LCTBQE 2689423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: @tlynne: jesus where do you guys grocery shop?! this hasn't happened to me (yet) but super inspired by you ladies. I'm very courteous in public almost always, but these aren't circumstances to politely correct. even reading the words "access to her" gives me the shivers--what is wrong with people? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689417 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:08:53 +0000 FannyMae 2689417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: keep on making those scenes!! if someone's gotta speak up on behalf of our kids, its gonna be mama. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689098 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:25:24 +0000 pwnstar 2689098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tlynne: I had someone approach me from behind while I was wearing my LO to get access to her (she was a baby at the time). It did not end well for them. I have also had people repeatedly try to touch my oldest (usually at the grocery store--like try to put their arm around her/touch her head while complimenting her) and my youngest when he has been in the stroller (so glad LO faces me while in the stroller!). One lady told me as I physically blocked her from touching my child, "I'm just a grandmother. Don't mind me," like it was totally okay and I should just let her do whatever. My response was, "You're not her grandmother, and I do fucking mind. Don't touch my child!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689076 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:06:22 +0000 tlynne 2689076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: LOL! Only once have I done this...and it was to a lady who appeared intoxicated and was trying to touch my youngest while he was in a shopping cart. I ended up putting myself in between them, and it didn't stop her from trying to reach around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689072 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:01:42 +0000 alphagam84 2689072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Those are some weird situations! Luckily, I can't think of any weird situations that have happened to us but I know I would speak up quickly and tell whoever the person is to stop it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689067 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:56:05 +0000 Boogs 2689067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My go to is usually, "Excuse you?!" accompanied by a nasty stink eye. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689064 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:46:32 +0000 Mama Bird 2689064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: don't feel bad! Your LO needs to know you're not OK with random people invading her space and don't expect her to be polite to them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689055 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:29:34 +0000 pmerr 2689055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: We haven't gotten much into stranger danger yet. :bummed: so these are great tips! I really need to start talking to him about that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689054 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:25:00 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2689054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pmerr: There has been more than one occasion where I have to step in with members of our own family when LO has said, "No, thank you. I don't like that." and they keep doing whatever it is he told them to stop. I reinforce that when he says that, he's not kidding. It has yet to happen where I've had to reinforce that to a stranger, but I've let him know that he is to be very firm, and if they don't stop, start screaming or crying. Especially if mommy or daddy isn't around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689048 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:17:01 +0000 pmerr 2689048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: I love this! I'll have to work on this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689046 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:16:14 +0000 Bibliolove 2689046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: yes, it starts at that age! Women especially are taught to "be nice" and this is hugely detrimental to us and as kids. It is insidious too. No means NO!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689036 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:04:50 +0000 sarac 2689036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The strangers? I would have hollered 'knock it off!'. The client of your mother's, unfortunately, I would have just glared and left quickly, and explained to my children that some people are just jerks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689027 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:00:25 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2689027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: DS has the same. His scowl is definitely protective armor! </p> <p>@pwnstar: This. This is why I cancelled an event with my dad. He said his friends couldn't wait to meet LO and pass him around. What? I don't care how much you like these people and want to share your grandson he doesn't know them. He has a right to be left alone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2689010 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 11:36:10 +0000 pwnstar 2689010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: THIS. This is exactly why I respond the way I do. I HATE when people say "I'm harmless" or "I'm a grandmother/father" . . . because IDGAF. I don't know you, and my littles don't know you, so step off. It especially bothers me because adults need to respect "no" regardless of where it comes from . . . if these douche canoes don't respect my "no," I seriously doubt they would respect a child's "no." And don't even get me started on the confusing messages this sends when teaching your kids about strangers.</p> <p>It's wildly uncomfortable, but I'm not going to let someone touch/engage/bother my child because I don't want to make a scene or because I don't want to embarrass THEM or hurt THEIR feelings. Because I would absolutely want my kids to make a scene and hurt someone's feelings if someone was touching them/bothering them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688992 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 11:20:18 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2688992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I teach LO to say, "No, thank you. I don't like that." Seems to work 99% of the time. How do you no stop what you're doing when someone says that in a very polite way? It usually elicits an "Awww...ok, I'm sorry!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688942 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:26:22 +0000 Cole 2688942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I wish I had a good answer. I told a lady to leave my daughter alone and she actual said "it's OK I'm friendly." I yelled at her at that point but I feel bad because that upset my daughter just as much if not more than the nut job in her space. I need them to leave her alone but I also don't want to scare my child! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688939 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:16:18 +0000 meredithNYC 2688939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This doesn't happen to us often at all (God bless the mind-your-own-business Northeast), but when it does I just chalk it up to people being weirdos, and either get the hell out of there fast or give the death glare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688926 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 09:41:13 +0000 Rocker2014 2688926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This hasn't happened too often to us (I apparently look fairly intimidating/unapproachable according to my husband!) but when it has I like to use the language of, "That's not ok" when strangers are involved. Depending on the situation I adjust the volume, add a smile or a "whoa" or "stop". I find LO tends to copy everything I say right now (she's 2) and this is language I'd like her to feel comfortable using. </p> <p>It's hard to not swear like a sailor - my first impulse! - at them, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688875 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:37:10 +0000 Mama Bird 2688875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People are very nosy in my neighborhood, so here it's not exactly normal, but not uncommon either. So I've got to temper my response a little. Usually I'll just get between the "adult" and the kids and they know better than to try reaching around me to annoy the LOs. Anywhere else though, it's totally out of line so my first thought is the person is either very rude or has a screw loose. So that calls for a very loud "Get away from my child!" Loud enough to get everyone around to stare at them. </p> <p>And then there's this stranger lady at the beach who decided she's family or something. She was getting in DS's face all the time and DH thought it wasn't a big deal, so that was real fun to deal with. I had to hover over him all the time to keep her away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688855 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 06:29:51 +0000 mrbee 2688855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a death glare that is pretty effective in these situations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688834 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 22:24:35 +0000 FannyMae 2688834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: this is me. if i'm being polite its "BACK OFF BUDDY". People are weird and I'm especially cautious of people when I'm out alone with 2 girls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688824 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 21:48:40 +0000 Pinkberrry 2688824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uhh what? I'm more quick on my toes with responses so I'd probably say something like "uhh what the hell dude" or "yea can you not?!" Or "that's fucking weird, get out of here" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688798 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:25:06 +0000 ustechie 2688798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my gut reaction is always "um, excuse me?!" with a stern look. i use that on kids and adults alike when i'm ever taken aback. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688795 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:23:13 +0000 pwnstar 2688795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find "get the fuck away from my child" and "who the fuck are you?!" to be effective. If you are a stranger approaching my kid--or trying to touch my kid (DAFUQ?!)--or you are inappropriately inserting yourself into my parenting dynamic, you should be prepared for a hostile response. If I think it was an honest *mistake* I will leave out the profanity, but the message is the same: back off! I have no fear/shame when it comes to protecting my kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688786 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:07:21 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2688786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These make me happy my kid has always seemed to have a bit of stranger anxiety in public. She basically has resting b face as do I so I think that makes people stay away. I was holding a friend's kid when I was pregnant and a lady at a store came up and touched his face right away and was giving him something she was biting to chew on (some plastic thing) and I was so shocked I just stood there. His mum was beside me and didn't care, but I kept thinking-ah! If this was my kid I would lose my mind. But I would be inwardly angry and probably silent unless it was a nasty situation like that cart shaking one or baby comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688785 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:05:19 +0000 Ms. RV 2688785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was once in a coffee shop with DD and a couple of friends. An old guy said "oh how pretty" and kissed her on the head! Eww! My friends thought I knew him because of how forward he was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688784 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 19:59:24 +0000 FaithFertility 2688784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Ohhh my the last one would piss me off so much.....I am mad form you!!!!</p> <p>I had an older lady ask to hold her at a restraunt but was basicly taking her out of the high chair already?!?!? Why? </p> <p>Also my daughter 2 wanted to swing at the park i told her to hold on as I put her brother in the stroller<br /> A lady walking with her kid said she would put her in the swing for me..... but.....she had a cigarette hanging from her mouth and just licked het hand from holding it...ummm no thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688775 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 19:45:02 +0000 erinbaderin 2688775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son sucks his fingers and twice when he was younger total strangers pulled them out of his mouth and told him he shouldn't do that. Like you, I was in total shock and didn't know how to respond. Since then I've actually practiced saying firmly "please don't do that" but have never needed to do it (although today I took him to the walk-in for an ear infection and the doctor talked a lot more about how he shouldn't suck his fingers than about his 104 degree fever). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strangers-invading-your-los-space#post-2688757 Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:56:00 +0000 Bao 2688757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: that's my issue, I just stand there with nothing to say! But then walk away feeling really irritated at the person. </p>