Advice

Brazilian culture is very warm and open. This is a lovely quality in many ways. In others it drives me mad.

Every older woman in the street thinks she has the right to tell me how to look after C. When he is sleeping in the ergo carrier people peer down the top and ask if he's not suffocating inside. People comment on the weather then touch him to check if he is too cold or hot. Ooh, he has a bit of cradle cap. Have you put ointment and scrubbed? He's got hiccups, you need to put a red dot on his forehead to get rid of them. Its windy, he should be inside.

I will not let my only child die against my chest. I will not leave him to get too cold or too hot. I will not put cream in his hair to dissolve the skin on his head. I will not decorate him to prevent hiccups. I don't believe a bit of wind will kill him. And its not your business to touch my child!

Maybe these things happen in Australia too, maybe everywhere in the world those more experienced feel the need to share their wisdom with the young and stupid. But the young and stupid need to learn by themselves, and often wont accept the superstitions of other generations.

Advice sought is advice heeded, advice given from strangers is more often than not a pain in the ass.

Note. I just reread this and its quite bitter! Its an accumulation of 7 months of interference by doddery old chooks. Advice from loved ones (nearly) always welcome.