babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
Have a Uterus, Still Don’t Want to Hold Your Sniffling, Squalling Baby
Lemondrop’s editor doesn’t want to hold your baby. And I can’t blame her.
The folks over at AOL’s women’s site (disclaimer: I sometimes write for them as well) put up a rant this week that sums up pretty nicely what we’re all thinking: “People always assume that if they have a baby and you have a uterus, that you want to hold your baby. I don’t want to hold your baby.”
If she were a guy, Julieanne Smolinski says she’d get to hold someone’s beer or their nachos. Because she’s a girl, it’s just the baby.
I’ll do her one better: just because I have a uterus that was once occupied by a person, I don’t want to hold your baby either. Nor do I want to babysit.
But I’m expected to, right? Because not only do I have a uterus, but I have a child. So I must adore children . . . all children . . . including those with bad skin and a tendency to spit up on my favorite dry clean only sweater. The sweater I didn’t wear during the entire period from the birth of my daughter until about two years ago.I’m telling you, I loved that sweater.
I don’t want you telling the restaurant it’s so cute when he gets handsy and pops my boob out for a little suckle either. I won’t be getting spinach pie there again – or at least not as long as that waiter is working there. He can’t look me in the eye anymore – makes it really hard to communicate “more diet pepsi” from across the room.
There are times I’ll hold your baby – when I ask to hold your baby, when you just need a hand so you can go to the bathroom or eat your own lunch. She is kind of cute.
But it’s on my terms, babe, or no baby.
Go Back To Strollerderby
0 Comments
GP commented on Aug 13 09 at 1:23 pmHa ha! I agree. I have to admit I am a snob and not always a fan of other people’s babies or kids. I mean, I wish them no ill will and I will have their back, if needed, but it doesn’t approach adoration in any way!
ABQMom commented on Aug 13 09 at 6:29 pmThank god I’m not the only one! I love my kid but have never been a huge fan of other people’s babies.
Ann S. commented on Aug 13 09 at 7:19 pmComments I sure relate. When I was a preteen and teenager I LOVED holding any and all babies, but after having my own I found myself less eager and now that I am a bit older, I would prefer to see the baby from several feet away. I love hearing them in church, but NOT in restaurants, and I love seeing them at family oriented gatherings, but still don’t want to hold them. I didn’t ever force anyone to hold my children and I am in favor of it being strictly the other person’s choice!
mamazee commented on Sep 25 09 at 8:42 pmchurch is the worst place for this. we’ve quit going. i’ve had seven babies in thirteen years. I don’t want to work in the nursery or Sunday school. I don’t send my own children there – why should i have to be constantly harassed to provide childcare for other people on Sunday? For 13 years solid?
Jen commented on Oct 29 09 at 5:19 pmI’m an auntie, so no kids of my own, but YES! I love my nieces and my nephew….but it doesn’t mean I want to carry them around all the time. They’re heavy and they exude all sorts of weird liquids!
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Wendy Michaels 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
0