Up until now, I have considered myself a fairly new adoptive mom. This week, however, I realized I have a new pet peeve. I think that having a pet peeve officially moves me out of the “new mom” phase.
Boundaries. Oh my goodness, boundaries. They are important, people!
Most mothers know that it can be awkward when you are pregnant and strangers feel like they can come put their hands on your stomach. Then there are always those people in the grocery store that seem to think they can touch your baby. I always hated that. Bringing home Hannah, though, I have seen a new level of people demonstrating lack of boundaries.
I really don’t mind the intrusive questions. I feel passionate about adoption, and I will happily talk anyone’s ear off that asks me friendly questions. I do feel like it is crossing a boundary, however, to start telling me why I should have adopted from the United States rather than from China.
Worse than that are the people that seem to think it is fine to touch Hannah. When out in public, I have had multiple strangers tell me how cute she is and then touch her face, grab her hands, or even try to hug her. Three times now someone has actually PICKED HER UP. That is not okay! I have been thinking about this all day, and there just has to be something about Hannah being obviously adopted that makes people feel like it is okay to do this. I have never had a stranger try to hug or pick up any of my other children.
I would be curious to hear if you other adoptive moms out there are experiencing this. Is my adopted child somehow viewed as less “mine” than my biological children that makes people feel like they can take more liberty with her?
Or maybe it is just her crazy cuteness? 🙂