Gathering for the Holidays? Here are questions and answers to questions you do not have to answer. Even to your sweet grandma.

Q: Why aren't you drinking?

A: None of your business.

Q: Should you be eating that?

A: Mind your own business.

Q: When are you going to get pregnant?

A: Stay out of my business.

Q: Why are you/aren't you chestfeeding?

A: Because it's my body and my business.

Q: How long are you going to chestfeed for?

A: As long as it's my business.

Q: When are you having another baby?

A: When I make it my business.

Here are some other useful tips for managing unwanted and unsolicited questions and advice:

Redirect:

• I’m just doing what is best for me and would love to chat about something else.

Subject change: 

• That’s not something I feel like discussing, have you tried these cookies? 

Boundary: 

• I’m gonna sit this one out.

• I’m not going to have this conversation with you, let me know when you are ready to talk about or do something else. 

• That information is just for me and my partner.

• I’m not ready to have that conversation.

Expectation setting: 

• If you want to support me, here’s what I need.

Remember that: 

• People don’t need to understand or agree with your boundaries to respect them.

• You do not have to listen to anyone's horror stories about pregnancy, birth, or parenting.

• You are not obligated to explain why you need people to take off their shoes, wash their hands, wear a mask or participate in any general germ-fighting habits in your home.

For the moments where you need a reminder or have a burning question, you can chat with a Poppy advocate - here when you need to hide.