Scene: Buying a new nursing bra today at Mother.hood Maternity. At the checkout counter.
Cast of characters: Me, Eliza, Cashier
Cashier: "When are you due?"
Me: "Oh I'm not pregnant. Just nursing."
Cashier: "..." She looks at Eliza (who is at this exact moment walking up to me carrying a rather large sign advertising 2 for $20 t-shirts), then back at me, confused.
Oh. Right! Most people do not associate a nursing mother with a toddler. It just did not compute in her brain. No biggie, I know it's a little different to most people.
Me: "Um. Yeah, I'm still nursing this one."
Cashier: "Oh..."
It was so awkward! She really didn't know what to say to me after that - and I totally wasn't offended or anything, in fact she hid her surprise/shock/real reaction quite well and was not rude... but I could tell my answer caught her off guard.
It is definitely starting to feel like people are looking at me like "WTF!!??" when they find out Eliza is still nursing. *sigh* It's to the point that I don't really offer up this piece of information when I'm in certain company. It's just easier that way.
What are they going to think when she's still nursing at THREE??!! 'Cuz this one does not show any signs of slowing down... Eliza and her milky are like *THIS*!
5 comments:
I think people are just uncomfortable with things that are out of the ordinary.
I know it's not the same, but I get similar reactions when I tell someone I have a PhD. I sometimes try and hide that fact by saying different things (I had a "degree" - not a PhD, or it was in "science" not astronomy/astrophysics) just because it's easier sometimes!
Funny :) We get the same thing now at 2.5. Most people are a little surprised, but generally they just drop the subject if they are uncomfortable, some are interested enough to ask questions. My standard response to the disapproving ones (very few fortunately) who ask when we're going to stop is "primates generally wean themselves between the ages of 2 and 7 (human equivalent)" and that usually gets a long "ohhhh..." and silence and a different topic.
We ALL have that little piece of information that we've learned to keep a little more private after enough strange reactions! Totally different but when I meet someone now and they ask what my "husband" does I don't go through correcting them anymore that we're not actually married... because it really does weird people out! Then, you feel some weird need to defend or explain it, and that's only more confusing to them :)
I'm still nursing my 20 month old, but I do feel a little bit embarrassed about it - like I should be weaning her. when i am with her, nursing seems like the most natural thing in the world - even at her age. but, in the abstract, it still seems weird to me. glad that you are so comfortable with it!
Well I just think your awesome!!! Keep it up Mama!!
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