Strollerderby
Never Ever Enough, Baby
If we aren’t the best example of a culture obsessed with filling the gaping maw of materialism and greed, then I’ll be a monkey’s uncle (or aunt). What better example of all this than the push present — that little something given to the person who pushes the baby out (fills out the adoption paperwork? worries the most?)
Personally, I received an incredibly touching card more beautiful than any diamond the day after my third daughter was born, so I’m inclined to believe expensive jewels aren’t necessary (I was high on hormones and sitting on an ice pack. What can I say?)… but obviously not everyone agrees with me. Notably Tiffany’s and Blue Nile…
Oh, and the couples featured in this New York Times story on the subject. According to the Baby Center survey highlighted therein, push presents are the not-so-secret desire of 55% of pregnant mothers. Advocates claim it’s not just run away materialism or an invention of the jewelry industry, but an acknowledgement of the hard work and suffering that goes into bearing a child.
How could you argue with that? Well, for starters, rather than a diamond ring or ruby pendant how about the gifts that last a lifetime: Loving, doting, devoted fatherhood and co-parenting, a willingness to change diapers and get up in the middle of the night (sometimes for years), and financial and emotional support of new parents? Now those are presents worth fighting for…
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7 Comments
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amEvery afternoon when Emmeline goes down for a nap, I try to busy myself with writing, cleaning or baking sweet, delicious cupcakes. And by try , I mean I think about one of those things briefly before curling up in a fetal position and falling asleep
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amIt’s a present when my husband changes a diaper only if it’s a present when I let him touch inside my panties.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amWell put mcglory13, I too was disturbed by Rachael’s attitude.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amThis disturbs me: “Loving, doting, devoted fatherhood and co-parenting, a willingness to change diapers and get up in the middle of the night (sometimes for years), and financial and emotional support of new parents? Now those are presents worth fighting for… ”
See, these are things I expect from my husband who equally desired the child. To be an equal parent and partner. Him being a good dad is not a present to me, it’s his obligation to his baby.
Being pregnant sucked. It permanently physically destroyed parts of me. I couldn’t drink a glass of wine for months. My body become public property. And THEN there was labor. If my husband had chosen to say thank you for my sacrifice with a present (seeing that he couldn’t be pregnant and it was up to me), I’m not sure what’s wrong with that.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amPingback from Jewelry: Affordable Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Bracelets » Never Ever Enough, Baby
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amSee, I never saw it that way until I started reading articles about these “push presents”. My brother-in-law bought his wife a ring when their first daugther was born as a way of saying thanks. I thought it was sweet: they got married when they were really young (thus she had a tiny engagement ring), but had their baby almost 10 years later. This was her “big” diamond. I guess the concept goes sour when there’s an expectation for a stone, when Tiffanys is advertising for it.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amPingback from Softer
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