I often look at my friends who have babies with envy. It seems like there's so much more for them than there was for me, just a decade ago. I mean, mustache pacifiers, really? I contemplate having a baby just so I can own one of those, and I'm not even kidding. And those faux shoe-socks or ballet flat socks? I think I missed them by a year. So close.
But then there are the other things, the trends and expectations that I'm forever grateful to have escaped because there's no way I could have succeeded at them. Stuff like these:
1. Pregnancy photos. I would like a bit more proof that I actually carried my children. (In photograph form, I mean. Of course I have the stretch marks to remind me.) But the week by week and month and month photos? Way too much pressure, thank you very much.
2. Pregnancy announcements. My idea of a pregnancy announcement? Puking my guts out in front of everyone in my life.
3. Gender reveal productions. I revealed the gender of my kids with a quick scan of the ultrasound picture along with the word "penis" or "vagina" hastily written on. Now there are cakes which announce the baby upon slicing open and boxes that release pink or blue balloons when opened. Who has time for that?
4. Creative baby announcements. I did send out announcements, but they consisted of a piece of paper with the baby's name and birth date. Announcements these days are works of art. In a new mom's sleep deprived state, that's simply too much to expect.
5. Pregnancy/new baby photos. The thought of having to come home from the hospital and take a picture of myself as a new mom to compare to myself as a pregnant person, while still looking pregnant? Never!
Pregnancy and new motherhood are tough enough with the pressure of Pinterest and Facebook to capture or create the best parts of them, aren't they? At least they were for me.
Any trends you're glad you missed out on?
Image via kristinausk/Flickr