The Family Idiot

Remember this post about inconsiderate parents? Well, my inlaws were over again this past weekend and in the knick of time I caught my brother-in-law's girlfriend in the act of getting ready to change our niece's diaper on our area rug, with no pad under him. I was in the kitchen and I heard her say to my nephew, "do you need your diaper changed?" (checks diaper) "Oh, yes! You're SOAKED!" She then takes him into our living room and proceeds to lay him down on the floor - on our nice area rug - with no barrier between him and the rug and starts taking his pants off to change his soaked diaper.

This time I said something. I handed her a towel and said, "would you mind putting this under her?" She gives me a puzzled look and asks "Oh, why? Because she's wet?" No because I think she looks more attractive lying on a towel then on our rug. HELLO?! Do you really think I want our area rug soaked with PISS!? Have some consideration! (I didn't say this, of course. I just said, "yes", but come on!)

I am telling you, I really wonder about people sometimes. Does becoming a parent kill brain cells?

Inconsideration Stinks

It never ceases to amaze me how clueless and inconsiderate some people are - especially parents who think they are the center of the universe.

My family was over last night for a big get-together to celebrate several birthdays as well as the holidays. This included my husband's brother and his girlfriend who have a 19 month old son (my nephew). At one point, I walked into the living room, and what did I see? My brother-in-law's girlfriend changing our nephew's diaper ON OUR COUCH - with no barrier between him and the couch.

Now I ask - am I just cranky or is this incredibly inconsiderate and disgusting? Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. I have many times witnessed people changing their kids on other peoples' furniture, carpets, whatever, with no barrier.

I understand that children in diapers must be changed and I am all for a freshly-changed child. I would even be okay with a baby being changed on our couch if someone really wanted to do that. But would it kill a parent to bring along some kind of changing pad or something else to put under the baby to protect my furniture? Or if they forgot to bring a changing pad, how about asking me for a trash bag or something to put under the baby before they change him? I mean, I love my nephew to pieces, but am I being unreasonable to expect someone to take the proper measures to protect my couch when changing their child's diaper on it?

Oh, that's right - it doesn't matter what I feel and think or what my expectations are. I am not a parent or a child, so my needs and expectations can be ignored.

I think the next time I have my period, I will pay a visit to my brother-in-law and his girlfriend and when it comes time to change my tampon, I'll forego the trip to the bathroom and will whip it out right on their couch and see what kind of reaction I get.