Unsolicited Advice

Everyone loves a pregnant person.  Especially random ladies who want to offer advice and suggestions.  The more pregnant I get, the more pregnant I look, and the more people comment on my belly.  People have trouble making eye contact with me because they're looking at my stomach.  I had heard that this happens, but I'm almost getting to the point to where I don't want to go anywhere, including work.

At work I constantly get the same comments:
"When are you due?"
"What are you having?"
"Is this your first?"  (Insert "you're in for it" look here.)
"Do you have a name picked out?"
"You're too small."
"You're really big.  Are you sure you're not due until March."  (I'm sure.  Thanks.)
"Will you help me carry this to my car?"  (No.  Freak.)
"Oh I had an awful delivery.  Let me tell you all about it...."

When I'm out in public, I get the same questions, just less invasive.  That is, until this past week.

I was out and about, visiting my favorite resale shops in town.  I was browsing around one store, minding my own business when an older lady wearing a Christmas shirt (in January) noticed me.  I saw her watching and knew what was coming.  She asked when I was due, what I was having, was this my first child...the usual.  Then she walked over closer and started telling me about local helplines and nurse hotlines that could help me.  She began to tell me not to be scared and it would be fine.  Did I have parents in town to help me?  I'll need help with the baby.  There are hotlines for that too.  I could try the pregnancy crisis center.  Have I applied for WIC yet?  She then listed the items I could receive for free through WIC.  Did she think I was a teenager?  She definitely thought I was an unwed young mother.  I took my hands out of my pocket to reveal that I was in fact wearing a wedding ring.  This didn't phase her apparently.  I thanked her for her advice and tried to walk away, but it seemed like where ever I went in the store, she was close behind....watching.  If we made eye contact, she'd start in again about books I should read and people I should talk to.  She went on and on about finding someone to help me.  She continued to offer advice until I finally made my way out of the store and to my car.  I know she was trying to be helpful, but seriosuly.  Leave me alone.   

The lessons I learned from this experience are:  1.  If my wedding ring still fits, I will wear it in public.  I have a committed "baby daddy" thank you.  2.  I should probably look decent when going out...wearing make-up and having my hair look somewhat fixed.  (I apparently look a lot younger without make-up.)

Thank goodness I've only had a couple of "belly grabbers."  I try to keep my distance from people who want to really talk about my pregnancy.  I know that if I stand too close, they might actually reach out and touch my stomach.

{31 Weeks}