Get over it, grandpa!

[frogautumn]

Had to share my lactivism moment with my dad yesterday...

My dad took DS out to the playground for a little bit. When they got back he told me about their adventures...swing, slide, sandbox...then...

Dad: Oh and I was so embarrassed, this lady just "whipped it right out" and started nursing out in the open. No towel or anything!

Me: What the heck does she need a towel for? She's feeding her baby.

Dad: I know, but I'm old school...

Me: Did you think you were gonna get any sympathy from me? I say good for her! Besides, you were definitely on her turf anyway. (To DS) Tell him, "get over it, grandpa!"

And then, as if on cue, DS (14 mo) started pointing, pulling, and trying to disrobe me.

Dad: (laughing) OK, Mr. not-so-subtle, I guess you sure told me!

[Unoppressed MAMA Q]

I deeply appreciate family members who can accept their 'comeuppance' with a laugh.

Good for your dad for avoiding defense mechanisms to protect his own ego and what-have-you. Good for you for being authentic. As a further joke, you could offer him a towel for his head next time he's going to take your kiddo out. Just for a laugh, I mean. You could get a good running joke about it.

Said ten years down the road to your aging father who is organizing the final nurse-in/out in human history before Nestle totally apologizes and abandons formula manufacture entirely:

"Remember that day at the park when DS was a toddler? Wasn't THAT a riot!", and you'll both laugh so hard that you pee your pants.

[frogautumn]

Yeah, maybe my dad is a lactivist in the making...he DOES love to point out that he was a BF baby in the 50s, when most moms were instructed to FF.

BTW--reading back, does it look in writing like I was rude to my dad? We're super-close and can joke around that way. I think I've posted before in other forums about how awesome he is!

[Unoppressed MAMA Q]

No, it doesn't, because of the inclusion of the word 'laughing'.

My dad is a bit of a lactivist as well. I appreciate it greatly. He told all the family members last year at dinner that it was totally the problem of the person who didn't want to see NIP, etc, not the mother/baby. I was so proud, and glad I didn't have to have the trouble of telling them myself!

[flminivanmama]

my dad and I had a similar exchange years ago. he made a comment about my kids asking to nurse and I laughed him off... then when he asked if I had any snacks in the house I told him he was told old for that b/c he could ask for them