Last night the wife and I went to Target. She headed for the women's underwear so naturally I went to the electronics department.
I can't help it. I think that everybody has a section of the store that they automatically want to go to whether they need anything in that department or not. When we are young, naturally the toy department calls to us. As we get older and our tastes mature we gravitate toward other areas of the store or other stores altogether. My department of choice is now the electronics department. It is my safe zone in the store.
Lately I have found myself wandering out of my safe zone. The electronics department only makes me sad these days because it is filled with things that I may never get again. Priorities shift. Instead, I have found myself walking in the baby departments. I don't look at the clothes because I don't have any concern about them. No, I now walk amongst the baby strollers and cars seats and diapers and various other things that babies need with my mouth wide open at how much these things cost and with a multitude of thoughts running through my head.
This is what a pack and play is? How do I know which one won't cave in and crush my child to death? Do the shocks on some strollers really matter that much? Do you really need a changing table? How long will it take me to go through a package of disposable diapers? What do you mean you have to "special order" good cloth diapers? They actually make double breast pumps? Is that so one boob doesn't feel left out at any given time? Did I miss some class that teaches all of this stuff?
I take some comfort in knowing that I understand a fair amount about developmental milestones and child psychology and even what toys are developmentally appropriate and helpful at any given stage of a child's life. But, that has almost NOTHING to do with being a parent. My supervisor laughed when she told me that everything I had learned about children academically would do me no good as a parent. I'm pretty sure she's right.
Will you be seeing some scared soon-to-be-daddy posts coming up here soon? Yes, you most certainly will.
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LOL! We "experts" would be glad to give you our experienced opinion if you'd like. ;-) But if I explain any breast pump issues, I wanna so it in person so I can see how beet red your head gets. HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, you don't NEED a changing table but it does come in handy and trust me, when you are dealing with blow outs, convenience more than helps.
No, the shocks on strollers don't really matter in my humble opinion... the convenience(there goes that word again - as a busy mom of 4, that's what makes the cut) of how easily it folds and unfolds and the all important BASKET on the bottom. I also cannot have one without a snack tray for baby. Cupholders for parent are nice too.
How long it takes to go through a package of diapers depends on each kid. In the beginning you'll average a pack a week. It gets better from there. I know nothing of cloth diapers because they scare me too much... but I admire anyone who does it.
And trust me, as a mom of 4... I am still asking questions and still learning because each one if different. And each parent is different and has a different idea of what is necessary and what you can live without. There are a lot of products out there that are a total waste of money in my opinion, and others... I wouldn't want to live without. LOL My #1 baby necessity as a nursing mother.... the boppy. Never leave home without it. :) There ya have it.