Everyone loves a pregnant belly... sometimes a little too much. TODAY show senior producer Dee Dee Thomas, due with her second child in early May, has a message for the belly-rubbers of the world: Back off, people.
OK, yes, I'm pregnant. In the home stretch -- less than two weeks to go (not that I'm counting). For the past five months, I have endured "the touch" -- family, friends and even strangers touching my pregnant belly. Yes, there's a baby in there, and yes, my stomach is huge, but when did it become OK to reach out and rub someone else's belly? You're not touching the baby: It is my belly after all, and we're just not that close. You might also think I'm over-reacting when it comes to family members, but would YOU want your great aunt rubbing your belly? I don't think so.
Husband and child? Yes. Mom? Yes. Dad? For the record, he didn't try, but no. Extended Family? No. Neighbors? No. Co-workers congregating in the kitchen? NO. The security guard downstairs (even if she's female)? NO.
Most of the culprits ARE female. Men seem to know better than to go there. And no, it's not OK if you preface "the touch" by first asking, "Is it OK if I touch your belly?" Believe me, I speak for most women when I say -- NO, it's not OK -- unless I'm wearing a Santa Claus costume.
I asked friend, co-worker, and mother of two, Alicia Ybarbo (co-author of "Today's Moms") her perspective on this. While she admits "the touch" didn't bother her as much, she did say, "Some people just can't control themselves. They eat their Cheetos and then wipe their hands on you." She also broke it down by geography. There are clear rules on "personal space" when it comes to north and south of the belly, but for some reason, the belly is considered a neutral zone.
I offer this simple rule to be adopted by all: if it's covered up, don't touch.