Why wouldn't you?

I always engage with babies and small children if they make eye contact with me, though I wouldn’t deliberately try to attract a child’s attention.
My DC were all born in Hongkong where people are always friendly and kind to children. I think it’s an important part of their development, learning to interact with people outside their immediate family or nursery staff, provided at the same time it’s balanced with the usual stuff about stranger danger.

I only interact with a child if the child initiates it and only if their parent is nearby, but I find when I do it lifts my entire day.

I’m totally with you Beckett
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I get where she's coming from - sorry! I've got enough yakking from the 12 year old and his friends and enough dramas from the older 2 and the goings-on at work etc. that when I get a rare moment to myself I love just wandering about in complete silence because I just don't get that peace the rest of the time and crave it. I'm sure that will change as my life changes though - and I'm a really nice person, honestly!

I would think the lady next to you was just plain miserable tbh,as with the stranger danger stuff mentioned I wouldn't deliberatly make contact with a little one but do enjoy listening to their chatter.
Yesterday I spent a very plesent afternoon with my 2 x GGCs.a little girl who chats for England and can hold a full conversation with anyone she is aged 3+ and her brother who is just over 1yr who kept me mesmorised for nearly an hour with his baby talk all answered with happy claps and chuckles just perfect.

I usually have an equally incomprehensible conversation back when talking to a small child, like--------my word,is it ? you don't say, fancy that, well I never.

I suppose I'm as daft as a brush really.

I have those kind of conversations with my 1 year old DGD EllanVannin who talks for England (all gobbledegook or perhaps Chinese I'm not sure). Like her very animated mum, she makes lots of hand gestures and eyes . Sometimes I feel like she is the one talking sense.

.gillybob Wow where has the last year gone it only seems like yesterday doesn't it since we where both waiting for these little people to arrive x

A few years ago I had to quickly stop my husband from going off hand in hand with a little girl in the park, who wanted him to take her to get something, absolutely not appropriate these days!

I think it’s a shame we have to be so wary, but I can see why

Yes a sad state of affairs. And ‘stranger danger’ sounds catchy.
But more often it’s someone the family knows.
☹️

It's unbelievable isn't it glamma ? Where has this year gone indeed ? Can you remember how fit to burst I was when I found out my DD was 6 months pregnant after being told she would never have children?

I have to say little Evie has transformed all of our lives with her sunny smiles and funny little ways, I can't imagine life without her.

gillybob Same here little Noah is plodding about with little fat tree trunk legs giving his sister grief when ever he can, he is such a little boy no mistaking that for a minute.
Enjoy her being a baby they grow far to quickly x

gillybob and glamma - they sound delightful! I didn't have children which is probably why I enjoy my brief encounters with small children in shops so much!

Babies seem drawn to DH. he has had many a 'conversation' with a little one sat in a trolley. I spoke to a bautiful baby just last week and was rewarded with a beaming smile, I thanked the baby and said she'd made my day. Mum looked surprised and then said I'd made her day too.
I mention that mum and baby were black only because mum seemed so surprised that a older white lady would complement her child.
That's sad isn't it.

Sitting dozing in deckchair last week, I was suddenly aware of this little tot gazing at me, said hello, are you having fun? Where is your mummy? No response ! Eventually a very apologetic young mum came over and whisked him away, and I heard him say, mummy, I wanted to play with that girl!

Girl! For goodness sakes

He made my day , bless him

I'm with Beckett all the way. Perhaps the lady you spoke to was the grandmother of th couple on naother thread who show no interest in their grandchildren.

Oh that was just lovely to read Sara65!