Monday, May 24, 2010

Why do we have babies???!!!!

What really stumps me is why we want to become mothers. I mean, I have nothing against it. I'm talking of the reason.

I think we're simply conditioned and tricked into it.

Because if we REALLY knew what ACTUALLY goes into rearing children, I don't think many of us would want them.

Through most of our formative years, we are fed these images of "cute" babies, all chubby with pink little fingers and toes saying "goo goo" or "aaa" or something harmless like that, and that too always witha smile. And these are mostly derived from advertisments. So much so that we can't look beyond pink toes.

When we bump into a couple with a crying child when at the movies (during our college days), we're stupid enough to assume they're just having a bad day.

We fail to notice the dark circles and frayed nerves of cousins and siblings when we visit, because we're busy adoring the little angelic beings. It's always a short span of time that we spend with them, so we very often don't know what one day's cycle in the life of a baby is.

We never really get to handle baby pee and poop (unless you're in a large joint family where babies are easy to come by).

Everbody goes over the moon on the joys of motherhood, about giving birth, about the joyful(!!!) labour pains. Women rave about the satisfaction that motherhood brings.

No one discusses logistics of rearing a baby. No one tells you babies can sit at your breast forever, pretending to be feeding. (You'll be asked, almost sadistically, once you've had the baby, by another young mum : "So, feeling like a cow? (Wink Wink and all).Cousins never tell you of breastfeeding pains and bruising. No one ever tells you about episiotomies.

Best friends might let you take a peek into their lives if they've been there done that.

But, by then, it's too late.

7 comments:

aanchal said...

very nice write-up...we 'reproduce' babies coz we need them, so we shouldnt burden our kids with i-bought-u-into-this-world-so-be-nice-to-me-when-i-am-old !! hee hee..
good writing..keep it up !!

Forever mother said...

Thanks for visiting Aanchal and many thanks for the comments :-)

Anu said...

No one discusses logistics of rearing a baby. No one tells you babies can sit at your breast forever, pretending to be feeding. (You'll be asked, almost sadistically, once you've had the baby, by another young mum : "So, feeling like a cow? (Wink Wink and all).Cousins never tell you of breastfeeding pains and bruising. No one ever tells you about episiotomies
-
Oh why oh why???Why doent anyone warn us?????????So so true,so sad I say.Sigh!

Aparna said...

Hi, just stumbled onto ur blog. Totally agree with u - it must be a grand conspiracy to delude young men and women into thinking rearing children is relatively painless - it must be hardwired into our genes to ensure propagation of the human race :))

Uma said...

Happened to visit your blog..nicely written post..I so agree with you..and even stranger part is, after all this, most want to go through it all over AGAIN!
sigh!..
Uma.

Sangeetha said...

I came across your blog when searching for some recipe.
I liked this particular piece.

Am actually now pregnant 6months with my first baby and eagerly looking forward to all this experience.

But like you said at the end I might realise its beyond the rosy picture I get to see from others too ;)
Thanks for putting these down.

Forever mother said...

Hey Sangeetha
Congrats on your first pregnancy...and all the best. Hope you come back and read this before you have your baby - sorry for the delay in replying. I'm getting old and forgetful.
You know what, don't get disheartened by what I write, I'm a bit of a pessimist. But also don't completely ignore what I write. Make your own middle path based on your own experience, patience levels, intuition etc. You can never be prepared because you don't know what your Little Person is going to be like till he/she lands in your arms. Keep your spirits up and positive...all the best for an as-easy-as-possible and safe delivery.
Cheers
Forever Mother