Dont insult the "mummum"

For those of you that know my daughter, you'll know that she calls her bottle 'mum-mum.' Its a word that she came up with all on her own, and in fact Leon and I were sitting thinking last night about when and how this happened and we really cant remember!
Anyway, the reason I'm writing about the mum-mum is that something happened yesterday, that was not the first time and it really annoyed me!
I was standing in a queue in Clicks yesterday, Emily was tired because it was getting close to her nap time - so she had asked me for her mum-mum. So there's my two and a half year old sitting drinking her bottle and yes I know that at two and a half she should be off the bottle. But I also know my child and I know that for the most part at home she drinks out of a cup. I also know that as much as I have tried, she does not like those sippy cups - I have tried virtually every kind. So this is not something that I am stressed about. We allow her to have her bottle for nap time and bed time, and then through the day she has it mainly when we are in the car or out.
ANYWAY, this is the annoying part! What is it with people, mainly woman, who seem to have this urge and think that its OK to look at my daughter and say things like, "oh my, you still drink out a bottle," or " why do you still drink out a bottle, you are a big girl!" Do they seriously think that my child, or an other child that they might direct this at, gives two hoots whether they should or shouldn't be drinking out a bottle or not. Do they not realize that this comment that is 'supposedly' directed at the child, is in fact directed at the mother, and do they not realize that the mother is fully aware of this! All  this person is doing is creating an enemy (slight exaggeration) for themselves because they have just insulted the mother in so many ways! Firstly, they have judged the mothers child raising way and ability, probably without even knowing it! Secondly, in making this comment they have not acknowledged you as a mother standing there, and any attempt that you might make to create eye contact is totally avoided. Making the situation even more annoying and offensive!
Why can these people just walk past and comment on her adorable curls or beautiful eyes? Why do they feel they have a right to pass some sort of judgment (be it small), on you and your child!? I cannot explained how when this happens I have to tie my feet with imaginary straps to the ground, and not fly at this person and in the end leave her standing there as a grown woman with a massive bottle and dummy stuck to her face! Super glued in fact! Yes, yes, I know I m hormonal and pregnant , and you are all probably shaking your heads in disbelief that something so trivial could annoy me - but it does! 
So just a tip to any of you that tend to like to make comments like this in passing - DON'T! For your own sake! If you want the world (of mothers) to be a happier place - don't insult the mum-mum!

Moans aside - hope that you all have a brilliant weekend doing whatever it is you plan to do! Thank you for reading!

Bye :)

Photo taken by Bernice Griffiths. www.bettybake.co.za