Wow...

I think that the poor mother needs some counseling, and I think that the author of the blog needs a few lessons in sensitivity!

Yes, she's really a bit over the edge. And I thought that I was too much of a worrier!!! She must be in a constant state of anxiety, and outright fear which is not only no way to live, but also isn't a great thing for her child to sense either. I really do think that she may need some help.

My comment about the blogger went more to the fact that I don't think that there was a realistic understanding about how much a person can change once they become a parent, and the child takes priority. I thought that I even sensed a bit of jealousy there (whining there were no longer any interesting conversations about art, etc.). It's often difficult for a single or childless friend to relate to what a parent goes through. Jim and I were married for twelve years before our children began to arrive, so we were able to socialize without restrictions, go out of town, etc., etc., and some of our longtime single friends were initially a bit baffled by our new focus when our daughter arrived. It seemed like a real about-face to some of them... The truth is that new parents CAN become crashing bores very quickly when this new little person becomes the center of their universe. Single friends frequently don't understand this.

Sometimes presenting rational arguments to someone who is in a truly phobic state won't help because those comments won't process. I meant that if the blogger had been a bit more sensitive all along by encouraging that poor woman to express her fears, and then examine them together gently, there may have been a bit more progress made. Ridiculing her fears by insulting her daughter (saying that the kid isn't attractive enough to draw the attentions of a pedophile???) doesn't help a friendship! It seemed to me that the blogger was more concerned about the loss of stimulating conversation than the more serious matter of the mother's deep anxiety, and desperate need for help...