A gender thing..

I was in WalMart today with the kids.  I was alone and unarmed with fruit snacks, which are our latest go-to when managing a toddler crisis.  It was a quick trip to get just a few things, and the kids were as happy as could be.  Great moods all around and even I was having fun.

So there we were zipping along having a conversation about colors and random other things: "what's this?" "FISH!! STAR!!"  Life was good.  As we entered the card aisle, a particularly boring place for the non-readers in the crowd, Ashton asked with a big smile, "Mommy, shoulders?  Please?!"  "Sure, whatever keeps him happy," I thought.  So I loaded him on my shoulders and started to push the cart with one hand and held his feet in an arm bar across my chest.

This woman hollers down the aisle, "You sure that's a good idea?  He's going to fall."   Quick pause-- I'm typically not opinionated with strangers.  Ordinarily, I would have smiled, taken her advice and felt like a total moron.  However, this woman ruined my mood from what was otherwise a perfect outing.  My blood started to boil.

First of all, what qualifies this woman to give me parenting advice?
Do you really think I would do something to harm my son?
Finally, what most pissed me off: if I were a man, you would think that I was Superdad, and inevitably call me cute.

I replied curtly to the hag, I mean, middle-aged woman, "Ma'am, this isn't my first rodeo.  I got it." And with that I was off, steaming with anger.  I was most upset because Jimmy has done this move 1,000 times before.  When we're out shopping it is not uncommon for me to take the lead grabbing things off our list as he pushes the cart with Ashton on his shoulders.  People are constantly coming up saying how adorable it is.  Which it is adorable, but why is it different when I do it?  I can't see the difference.  Is there an assumption that I need some manly strength to carry 34 lbs on my shoulders?  Is it because I'm short?  Little does this woman know that I carry 50 lbs of baby around my house on a daily basis.

It is the worst to get unsolicited and very public advice.  I was embarrassed, not because I should have been, but because this lady made me feel like I was being reckless with one of my most prized possessions.

Have you ever had unwelcome parenting advice from a total stranger?  What did you do?