Mon Petite Sac de Pommes de Terre

"Wow!" you say. "I had no idea you spoke French!"

"Oui, mon ami! Mes talents sont beaucoup et varié!" I reply.

If you are not fluent in French like me, this post is about my little sack of potatoes. (By the way, my definition of fluent in French means you are able to use the free translation service on the internet. I am also fluent in Spanish, German, Italian, and several Chinese dialects.)

Anywho. . .I am suddenly fascinated by the amount of unsolicited parenting advice I have been getting from random people. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind gleaning pearls of wisdom from people I know and more importantly, who know me. I have even been able to humble myself in order to ask advice about child rearing issues. Shocking, I know! However, I am just amazed at the amount of people who feel it is their duty to share with me advice in HEB or Target for example. It seems that when you are pregnant or have a tiny one, strangers feel obliged to critique your methods.

The other day I popped into HEB to pick up just a few things. I always try to run my errands when I know Cora should be napping, and this was no exception. Unfortunately, this was toward the end of her napping time, and she was waking up. I decided not to bother with the stroller; rather, I just unbuckled her from the car seat and carried her in what I know to be her favorite position. I like to call it the "sack of potatoes" position. Yes, I know it looks shocking and awful. Yes, I know her little neck is unsupported. But, I promise you, this weird little child likes it. Believe me, I tried to cradle her like an infant or hold her over my shoulder with my hand so carefully placed behind her little head. She will have no part of it! She gets that familiar pout on her face and starts kicking out her legs and whimpering. She wants to be held awkwardly and unsupported.

Naturally during this quick grocery trip, I am holding my little weirdo in her favorite position when no less than 3 people offer their opinions about my parenting. I have been racking my brain trying to think of another time that people feel such freedom to express their opinions. "Excuse me, ma'am. If you would hold your fork like this, you will be able to eat much more efficiently." or "Sir, I noticed when you filled your gas tank today, you put the nozzle in before you swiped your credit card. Have you considered trying swiping your credit card first?"

Now, I do honestly listen to the strangers' advice. I have gleaned some good tips from random people. I can smile genuinely and say thank you. I offer up my reasoning behind why she is held in that manner, and they listen incredulously. I know they want to be helpful and are speaking with the purest of intentions. But, I have found that having spent a total of less than 24 hours of the last eight weeks away from Cora that I know her pretty well. So, if you see us out and about, she'll probably be awkwardly configured in my arms, and it's okay. I know soon I'll be the stranger in the store offering the pregnant/new mom some unsolicited, but completely necessary and useful advice!