I've been thinking lately about how once you have a baby you suddenly become a point of interest to complete strangers. People who never threw you a second look before suddenly stop to say hello and look inside the stroller. Random neighbors from our building stop Matthew and ask him if his wife delivered her baby already... seven months postpartum. And I know this is normal, people love to see a fresh little face and they always assume that if they talk to Natasha in a silly voice she will start smiling and laughing at them and think they're the funniest thing she ever saw.

Well, she doesn't. She doesn't think that at all. Natasha is a pretty serious girl and apprehensive of strangers; many times she starts crying when complete strangers talk to her. She can get comfortable with new people given some time, of course, but not for random street encounters. And I don't blame her. In fact, I don't even like it. I wish people would stop talking to her in their silly voices and make their silly faces; she's not a monkey. She's a human being. Talk to her like one.

And what bothers me even more is when they question my decisions. The other day, a middle-aged lady who was taking the elevator with us, made a comment about Natasha's pierced ears and asked me in a very confrontational voice whether they are gold or not. Duh. I could just tell she was expecting me to say no, because before I even had a chance to say yes, she went on and on about how babies should only wear gold. Seriously, do you think I am stupid, lady? Just because I am a young mother doesn't mean I don't have a head on my shoulders or enough common sense. But that's beside the point! This is my baby, and whether I chose for her to wear gold earrings or not, it's entirely my decision, so what right do you have to question me?? Sometimes I wish people minded their own business. And sorry if this sounds mean on my part, but I thought it was funny when Natasha burst into tears after that lady continued making silly faces at her.

We had a worse encounter a few weeks back, when a different 'know-it-all' type lady from out building asked me if Natasha was already sitting up on her own (she wasn't yet), and then proceeded to brag about her own child who was already talking in sentences at six months, let alone sitting up. After that she did the worst thing she could do. She started touching Natasha's hands and waving a rattler in front of her face. Seriously, it took me a LOT of self control not to slap those hands away. You do not touch my child!!! I don't know you. I don't know that your hands are clean. You do NOT touch my child. I really thought people were brighter than that. Again, Natasha let her know how she felt about her by bursting into tears.

To be honest, I don't mind if people look at her or make comments, but do it from a distance. Not in her face. Not by touching her. She doesn't know you. She doesn't need to like you just because you act silly and pay attention to her. Put yourself in her shoes and see if you would like that.