Pacification

Paul and Amy had their first experience with parenting advice from strangers on Tuesday. And let me tell you, this woman was definitely stranger than most. We were walking to the grocery store with James, who was happily sucking a pacifier in his stroller. When we stopped at the intersection to wait for the light to change, an old woman with wild gray hair stood next to us. She suddenly muttered, "Get that d*** thing out of that child's mouth!"

"Excuse me?" said Paul, who had not understood her mumbling the first time. Her anger rising, she yelled, "That child doesn't need to have that d*** thing in his mouth."

Being uncharacteristically polite, Paul said, "Thank you for the advice" and proceeded across the intersection, since the light had changed. But she followed us, lecturing, "Ask your pediatrician! Those d*** things are ridiculous!" Luckily we outran her, but all the way home, Paul kept thinking about obnoxious things he could have said. Here was my favorite:

Actually the American Academy of Pediatrics says that pacifiers may protect
against SIDS and do not cause any medical or psychological problems. On the
other hand the American Academy of Geriatrics suggests that pacifiers can be
used to stop up the mouths of meddling old ladies.

FYI: This pic is James being held by Aunt Sica, on his blessing day.