[blparent] [Bulk] strangers communicating visually with your child

[Brandy W]

Hi,
This is quite normal and when I notice it I tend to say things like did you 
find a friend to play with? Now when the lady did the snapping and clapping 
thing I tend to say things like I need you to stop and leave us alone. 
Smiling was fine, but that is not and I tend to turn away. Your baby learns 
from others and you want him and the intruder to know you aren't OK with it. 
So as long as they aren't upsetting the baby or doing stupid stuff including 
touching him then let it be a normal thing. If people touch I kindly ask 
them not to touch, but to just look. When they keep touching I move their 
hand and repeat that I'd like them not to touch. Otherwise he is learning to 
be socially appropriate and that is good. Yes it is frustrating and sad when 
people do this sometimes, but this will pass and eventually he will start 
sharing with you as others have said.

Bran



"When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping 
them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things 
we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in 
our lives."
- Fred Rogers

Brandy Wojcik
Discovery Toys Educational Consultant and Team Leader
www.playtoachieve.com
(512) 689-5045

Looking for team members nation wide!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisamaria Martinez" <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 12:12 PM
Subject: [Bulk] [blparent] strangers communicating visually with your child


> Hi,
>
> In the last few days, I've been observing a few things that apparently
> I was totally unaware of while out in the public with Erik. Either I
> was oblivious or he's learning to interact more with people. I know
> he's already a big flirt, but I've always been able to tell when he's
> flirting with the ladies.
>
> So, I'm curious now to know how other parents handle situations in
> which the public communicates/plays with your child.
>
> Here's what is happening to me:
>
> I usually take Erik out of his stroller during our BART ride. He loves
> to move around so much now that being restrained in his stroller is
> torture and he loudly proclaims his feelings about being strapped in
> and not on the move. So, I put him on my lap and he either sits and
> watches people while chewing his fingers or happily drooling on
> mommy's hands and forearms or he stands up on my lap and pats the
> window while we pass other trains, trees and buildings.
>
> I usually can tell when he catches the attention of a fellow
> passenger. He turns his head and stares. He starts to flap his little
> arms around like he's about to fly off somewhere. Or, he starts
> leaning toward them and tries to get them to pick him up.
>
> Yesterday and today though, he was just chilling in my lap and I hear
> him give a little laugh. Really, it is his big dimpled grin
> accompanied by a noise that tells me he's smiling. The people to my
> right and left start laughing out loud and one of them started talking
> to Erik and said, "Oh, she's playing peek-a-boo with you isn't she?
> You like that don't you? What a good boy you are." I looked at them
> and smiled and pretended I knew what they were talking about. That was
> yesterday. Today apparently, the lady next to me was making faces,
> waving at him, or something. He just kind of sat there making a few
> noises which I interpreted as him being sleepy or upset. And he was
> starting to get upset. so, I hoisted him into my arms and he dropped
> his head onto my shoulder and made his cute little sleepy noises. He
> popped his head right up in about a minute and looked all around again
> and made an upset noise. The lady next to me, started snapping her
> fingers and waving her hand in front of his face which was pretty much
> in front of my face too. She started talking to him and saying, "Oh,
> no, no. Don't cry. You were smiling at me earlier when I was making
> faces at you."
>
> I was really kind of annoyed at her for snapping and waving near my
> face. It was like a foot away ... but really! I think though I was
> just annoyed that she was doing all these faces at my son and I had no
> clue she was playing with him. Maybe it shouldn't bother me so much,
> but I have been slightly sleep deprived lately and I am feeling
> cranky. Am I just being cranky? Seriously though, how do others handle
> situations like this. My little guy is really very sociable and there
> will be many times when strangers will smile at him, wave, make faces,
> etc, etc. And, I'm not always going to know what's up.
>
> I'm interested in your comments and stories.
>
> LM
>
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