I received unsolicited advice from a well-intentioned mother.

She asked how old my son was and when I told her, she lectured me on why I should have more children and that it is not good for a child to not have siblings. This was all said in front my kid who is old enough to understand this conversation.

How do I explain to someone the number of babies I’ve lost without it getting awkward? How can I explain how lucky I feel to be able to adopt this one without crying…which would make it more awkward? How do I explain that this unsolicited advice opened Pandora’s Box of emotions that I have to hold in until I’m alone in the shower?

This is followed by guilt for being upset at a person who’s heart was in the right place.

With this said, please allow me to give unsolicited advice to mothers: Please don’t give unsolicited advice to mothers.

On a lighter note, I learned that saying “I don’t know” to a question you’ve already answered three times over throughout the day will miraculously revive a child’s memory.

“What are we having for lunch?”

“I don’t know.”

“But you said we were having Chick-fil-a!!”

Now that’s the kind of advice that’s always solicited.