I don’t talk about 1M (16moM) on here often - his story is fairly identifying and up until a few weeks ago he had his own personal nurse. He has “graduated” so to speak and now I have him and 4f full time. So excuse me if this is a little vague.

If you saw 1M you wouldn’t think that he’s 16months - maybe half that. He’s globally delayed.

4F often laments that she wants him to just “get up and run already” and is becoming more acutely aware of what 1M can’t do.

Honestly, comments from strangers aren’t usually an issue because we know almost everyone in the neighborhood (small subdivision with an HOA) and everyone knows 1M and his story. So mostly we get “oh my god he looks so good!” Or the like.

Today we were on a walk and two people passed by (still socially distancing) and the conversation went something like this:

Walkers: oh how cute! How old are they?

4F: I’m four!

Me: he’s 16 months.

Walkers: well you should put him down so he can run around a bit!

4F: He can’t run. He can’t even walk! Or crawl.

Me: Remember, 4F he will get there we just have to keep working on it.

Walkers: oh no, why can’t he crawl yet?

And I cut the conversation off at that point and said we had to keep walking and we left.

It felt rude to end that way - but also their question was rude. If 4F wasn’t there I probably would have just smiled and ignored the statement. I don’t think everybody and their neighbor needs to be privy to 1Ms medical diagnosis.

Those of you who have dealt with this type of situation with your NKs have you found a more graceful way to extract yourself? The parks are hopefully opening up soon and although we won’t be there if there are other people there, I’m sure the conversation about his age and abilities will come up more and more often.

I know how to navigate these conversations with kids, but with adults I’m not so sure. I don’t want to be rude, but if that’s the best and quickest way to cut the conversation off, then I will.