You can hear it a mile off from some people. The ingratiating smile. The cursory ‘how cute,” and then, “How’s the baby sleeping?”

How do I answer that? I mean, do I say what’s on my mind? Something I read in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding? Which said that question doesn’t mean anything to someone who is sleeping with their baby.

And, let me tell you, after the ride Chanya and I have had with our breastfeeding, the last thing I want her to do is sleep through the night.

But since nobody really cares, and it’s just small talk, Curtis’ answer should be sufficient: “I don’t know about her, but I’m sleeping just fine.” Which then starts up a firestorm of knowing aaahs. Which imply, ’so she has to get up with the baby. . . ‘ to which Curtis answers, “Angie’s sleeping just fine, too.’ And he’s done.

Except women still pry deeper and deeper to find out what the deal is. And I wonder why that question is so important to them. And why they are so concerned about where Chanya sleeps.

I know all the stuff about spoiling and having the baby learn how to put herself to sleep, and I prefer to deal with all that at nap-time. Night-time is the time Chanya has actually learned how to nurse, which to me is way more valuable than her sleeping all night long.

But to talk about those things points out how much of a granola I am. I am too old to still be worried about fitting in, but, come on! Homeschooling? co-sleeping? breastfeeding? How much more of a freak could I be? The next thing you know, I’ll tell you I’m a swimmer. . .