Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Note to my future self - don't depress new moms



When Jack and I are out and about, a lot of people come up to us. Yes, Jack's cute but it's also because he's a baby and, guess what? People like babies. Could you resist that face above? Anyways, yesterday for some reason, three different woman at three different stores approached us and depressed me with the same story.

It started off in the grocery store where the woman in front of me in line was talking to Jack and being very nice.

"I just dropped my baby off for his first day of high school."

"Oh, that's nice."

"I cried my eyes out. It was so sad. They grow up so fast. Cherish every moment."

"Oh. Okay. I will. Cherish every moment."

I mean, what do you say? I know what she's saying is the truth but I've heard it so often that I'm starting to get depressed about something that is at least 13 years away. And then we went to Costco....

"What an adorable baby."

"Thanks. I think he's pretty cute."

"My 'baby' is 47 years old and it went by so fast. I miss that cute cuddly baby I used to have. Now I barely see him."

"Oh. Well.... I'm sorry."

See a pattern? After that we headed to Michael's craft store. (I know...My day is just overwhelmingly exciting and you're very jealous.)

"Your son is so so cute. And what a smile!"

"Yes, he loves his Baby Bjorn."

"My kids are in high school now and it went by so fast. Now they want nothing to do with me. It literally breaks my heart."

"Oh. Well...."

That one I didn't have a response for. I mean, what do you say besides "that totally sucks?" I left feeling sad that the baby smiling up at me would one day tell me that I'm an idiot and that he doesn't want to be seen with me. But I guess that's just another phase of growing up. Hopefully it'll be a short phase and he'll go back to being nice right after his high school graduation. But I really hope that in 15 years I'm not depressing some nice new mom in the Vons check out line. I'll just say "cute baby" and leave it at that.

3 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you. And I feel like responding by saying "I know time flies. I actually just gave birth to him yesterday."
    Cara

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  2. this bums me out. yesterday a h.s. senior came in with her mom to meet with my boss, and the look in the girl's eyes was just utter embarrassment/annoyance at everything her mom said. granted her mom was a total headcase, but i just saw the scene in a whole new light.

    on the upside it makes me appreciate my own mom even more, so there's always hope.

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  3. It's true that they grow up quickly/time flies, but honestly, I feel like it gets balanced out by all the new and interesting things that they do and discover as they get older - and I can't imagine that ever changing. I miss Simon as a baby, but I wouldn't trade Simon as a four year old kid for anything, either.

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