You Can Look, But For Pete Sake's Don't Touch!

Alexa is like a lioness.  She’s beautiful, impressive, looks soft and cuddly, but if you get to close . . . .
I somehow doubt it would change anything, but I should make a sign for Alexa to wear that says, “STOP!  IF YOU CAN READ THIS SIGN YOU’RE CLOSE ENOUGH!  IF YOU GET ANY CLOSER I WILL MOST LIKELY HIT OR KICK YOU!”  I’ll make it in 48 sized, bolded font.  Again, it won’t matter people will still come too close.  They’ll think- as they do now- despite my verbal warning: “She’s a baby!  Of course she likes people in her face, touching her legs, talking baby talk in a high pitched voice.”  Let me assure you, Alexa (who unfortunately seems to be more and more like me) does NOT.  When they get to close for comfort- she hits them- or kicks them -whatever I have not got pinned down at the time.
I have been worrying over this for several months now, but lately it has gotten significantly worse- if people get in her space- she will lash out at them.  I can’t say I blame her.  I don’t like people in my space.  I don’t even like Doug in my space- and I love him.  Andrew is beginning to reach the point where I don’t really want him in my space either (however- before you harshly judge- “That’s YOUR Child!”  hear me out: he’s boney.  When he sits on my lap his butt bones poke into my legs.  And he doesn’t sit still- so inevitably it’s not just his butt bones- it’s elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles that are poking into me.  Plus, he likes to rub his feet on me.  I hate feet.  Even Andrew’s feet.  I don’t like them rubbing on me.  It makes me feel all psychotically angry.  Not good to feel that way- especially at the child you love and usually adore.  So do you still think I suck for not always liking Andrew up in my space?)
 So anyway- I have come to a decision.  Alexa has made it clear how she feels about people in her space, it’s my job- as her mother- to not only respect her as the little person that she is, but to advocate for her as well.  I mean- sometimes her space will have to be invaded- but the random person walking up and shoving their face into her face . . . that’s not a life saving moment.   From now on- I think I am going to give a general warning as people approach: “Watch out- she doesn’t like people in her space- she will hit or kick you.”  And then when she does exactly what I warned would happen, I will say, “I tried to warn you.”  That’s the only thing I can think of as she’s only 11 months old.  If she were older- I would work with her to find a kinder way to communicate her wishes, but at this point . . . I’ll do the kind talking- she can do my light work. 

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