Preparing for birth is not only mental. It's also material. When you think of the second trimester of pregnancy, you think of the need to start shopping for baby supplies.
Yes, it's still early. But to hear everyone else tell it, you're already late. The time has come to divide your Sundays between the Maternity Lounge and baby boutiques.
Buying everything for a first child
It's like this: "parenthood" is the only area where it's advisable to equip yourself like a professional BEFORE you've tried the sport.
We agree:
- Buying $2,000 worth of fishing rigs before putting a single line in the water is definitely overkill.
- Buying the golf stock of the year when you've never finished an 18-hole course in your life is just too much of a flash in the pan for the Chamber of Commerce's corporate tournament.
- But shopping for a baby carrier when you've never held a newborn before is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do.
"What exactly are you looking for, sir? A baby sling? A Sling? A Mei Tai? A pre-shaped baby carrier? What are your needs?"
- I'm a responsible dad, ma'am. I'll take the four of you.
Multiple stations and cots
For the first few months of its life, a baby "doesn't do much", I was told. It drinks, it shits, it sleeps, it cries.
On the face of it, I thought I'd have a fairly simple starter kit: bottles, diapers, a bed, pacifiers. And a few other essentials.
But I wasn't surprised to see a list of 14 different "stations" to buy for baby. Modules to hold him in all positions and circumstances. Stuff that vibrates, makes music, bounces and rocks. And beds... of all sizes.
- What's a Moses, honey?
- A small bed.
- Wasn't that the park?
- No, it's not. The park is more of a bed. Transportable.
- And the crib?
- It's a big bed, my love. But not transportable.
- Okay. Their Russian doll kit is expensive, but at least after this, we'll be in business for a long time.
- Actually, no. When she's two, we'll have to buy her a real bed.
- (...) Chalice.
The whole world gives us gifts
I say it's expensive, but that's not true at all.
Because if there's one magical thing about all this preparation for birth, it's the incredible surge of generosity that strikes us as future parents.
Have you lost faith in humanity? Think people are self-centered, unable to give without expecting something in return? Have children. It'll restore your hope in our collective future.
I'm not kidding: EVERYONE wants to give us stock. Our best friends, but also the cousin we talk to every three years, our work colleagues, our father-in-law's third neighbor.
"Are you going to have a baby? I've got an old breast pump I don't need anymore!"
How much do you charge?
"Gratisss!!!"
Wow.
And then, week after week, I watch our spacious 4 1/2 turn into McRonald's Park. Toys and modules accumulate floor-to-ceiling.
I look at this and think, "Criss, I can't wait for the brother-in-law to have his first one so we can get rid of all this."
It's so beautiful, to give without expecting anything in return.
