We really should have prepared earlier for the baby’s arrival!
My discharge from the hospital was quite the ordeal. My husband was at work and had to come collect me straight from the office. Id asked him to take some time off, but his manager wouldnt allow it. I begged him to get everything ready for when the baby arrived, and he promised me he would see to it all. Honestly, if wed planned things better, wed have done the laundry, done the shopping, and sorted out the flat beforehand. But as it stands! 30-year-old Emily confided.
Didnt he keep his promise?
I ended up going to hospital totally unprepared. When I came home, the place was an absolute tip. I felt utterly mortified in front of family who came over. There was so much dust, I could have drawn pictures on the shelves. There was no pram, no chest of drawers, he hadnt even bothered to buy any baby clothes. Thank goodness my friends gave me some nappies Emily continued, shaking her head.
Emily married six years ago. She and her husband had been biding their time before starting a family, making sure to get settled first. Once things improved for them, she finally decided to try for a baby.
I told my boss as soon as I found out I was pregnant. He sacked me on the spot. Some people would have fought for their rights, but I took it as a sign. I quietly got ready for motherhood, did a bit of embroidery, and enjoyed my free time. We werent worried for money because my husband had just received a promotion Emily explained.
The pregnancy was completely normal. The expectant mum spent time reading, going for long walks, and calmly choosing baby items.
My husband wouldnt let me buy a thing until the baby arrived. Apparently, its considered bad luck to shop beforehand, or so he claimed. My sister promised us shed bring over the cot and a chest of drawers for the baby. She even put aside a few extra things for us. She asked me to collect them earlier, to give them a good wash and a clean. But all I did in the end was pack my hospital bag; I wasnt allowed to do any more Emily sighed.
But as soon as I went into labour, my husband started panicking once he realised just how much we still needed to buy. While I was in labour, I worried that I hadnt even had the chance to get the washing out of the machine, so that all just sat there until I was back.
Luckily, my friends had given us clothes and nappies, at least I had something clean to dress the baby in. My husband ran around town picking up what he could for the baby, but everything was grubby, dusty, and stained. I had to wash it all first and then wait for it to dry. I honestly wanted to murder every relative and divorce my husband in that moment she was almost in tears.
For several days, Emily was busy cleaning and tidying the flat. Though its been two months since the birth of our son, she still isnt ready to have visitors over.
Now the relatives all think enough time has passed so theyre dropping hints about wanting to visit. Im supposed to put together a big family lunch Sure thing! Theyve already lined up plenty of things for me to do she said, exasperated.
Emilys mum just doesnt understand why her daughter isnt happier. She can plainly see the place wasnt sorted out beforehand. She reckons Emily should have taken care of it herself! Nine months at home, what was she doing all that time? She could have asked her husband to bring in the furniture, give the place a scrub. Surely, she could have changed his mind about the shopping too. In the end, its up to women to see to it all, isnt it? Who really counts on men, after all?
What do you think? Is Emily right in feeling let down by her family, or is it her own fault? Should she have taken it all on herself and made the preparations for the baby? What would you have done in her place?
