A Kicking Class In Consent For A Curious Kiddo

I’m at my nanny job, and I’m very pregnant with my daughter. The kids I watch have just gotten out of school, and one has invited a friend over to visit — a boy who’s been over to play before and is generally very polite. He notices that I’m very obviously showing and reaches out his hand.

Boy: “Oh, the baby’s right there, huh? I’m going to feel for a kick!”

Me: “No, you’re not.”

He stops, hand frozen in mid-air inches from touching me.

Boy: “Why not?”

Me: “Because you don’t touch people without permission.”

Boy: “Oh, right. Well, can I?”

Me: “No. I’m not comfortable with that in general, and I’m also pretty sore from round ligament pain. But she does kick a lot, and it’s easy to see even through my clothes. When she starts up, I’ll tell you and you can watch.”

Boy: “That would be cool to see!”

My daughter did indeed start kicking a bit later, and both the boy and the kids I nanny got to see. The boy was happy he got to watch, and hopefully, he learned a little something, too!