Babymania

[Walt34]

One of DW's nieces is due to have a baby in about six weeks, and there is a baby shower for her next week. Normally very sensible and frugal, DW and her sister have gone berserk. Emotions rule, reason and logic have ceased to exist in their universe. If it is "For The Baby" it is deemed Good. I suggest everyone buy stock in Babies R Us. DW and her sister are doing their best to make sure it goes up.

Perhaps I'm missing something but AFAIK babies don't care about any of this. They're pretty simple - keep 'em warm, fed, dry and cuddled and they're happy.

Does this happen to everyone else too?

 

[MichaelB]

One of DW's nieces is due to have a baby in about six weeks, and there is a baby shower for her next week. Normally very sensible and frugal, DW and her sister have gone berserk. Emotions rule, reason and logic have ceased to exist in their universe. If it is "For The Baby" it is deemed Good. I suggest everyone buy stock in Babies R Us. DW and her sister are doing their best to make sure it goes up.

Perhaps I'm missing something but AFAIK babies don't care about any of this. They're pretty simple - keep 'em warm, fed, dry and cuddled and they're happy.

Does this happen to everyone else too?

Aye. The shower is like an avalanche. It's going to happen, you can't stop it, it you try you'll just get buried, so best stay completely out of the way. It's a great opportunity to see a film that doesn't interest DW. That, and "yes dear".

 

[aim-high]

Too funny!

 

[dontworry]

I can't speak for all women but I will say I lose all sense of reason when it comes to babies (and weddings too). My youngest brother is getting married in October and I am beyond excited for the wedding and the babies (hopefully) to follow. There's just something about those tiny, precious, totally dependent human beings that makes me go googoogaagaa. I think you should just sit back and watch the show. And I agree with "Yes dear".

 

[Amethyst]

I think it is human nature to dote on one's own offspring. The level of doting depends on the person. Doting on other people's offspring is optional.

I like babies and will fuss over them (those tiny hands! Those bright eyes! Look, he/she is smiling at me!), until they start to wail, at which time I exit the room as fast as possible.

I find weddings tres boring, though.

Amethyst

 

[W2R]

I can't speak for all women but I will say I lose all sense of reason when it comes to babies

Well, you can speak for me because I, too, lose all sense of reason when it comes to babies! It must be some sort of hormonal thing among some women, including me. My daughter (now 35), had so many toys in her room when a baby that it was, well, completely insane. And I bought almost all of her toys. I also covered an entire wall with photos of her before the age of one, because she was so adorable with those little hands and endearing smiles!

I can't even SEE a baby at a restaurant, for example, without saying "Oh, your baby is so cute! Simply adorable!" or some such thing, to the parents. That is probably obnoxious because I do that even when I don't know them. Just can't help myself.

 

[ziggy29]

Perhaps I'm missing something but AFAIK babies don't care about any of this. They're pretty simple - keep 'em warm, fed, dry and cuddled and they're happy.

Well, much like funerals are for the living who are left behind, baby showers and lavish stuff for Baby and such are for parents and onlookers. In some areas there's a lot of social pressure to show how much you "love" your baby by spending ungodly amounts of money on the baby.

Though in this day and age, I suppose a lot of the stuff that's given to Baby is recorded on video so they can see how much they were "loved" with stuff when they are older.

We don't have any of our own, but my wife usually knits something for the couples we know who are expecting or recently had a baby.

 

[Chuckanut]

I have a grand child whom I love dearly. However, when the child first arrived I was left feeling like an ignorant fool by the various questions women would ask me about the child. Birthday, gender, weight and height were not enough. I had to know the birth time, color of eyes, hair color, skin tone, who the child looked like (?), why the particular name, and other things I can't even think of now. Men were happy with date, name and size

 

[ERD50]

... Birthday, gender, weight and height were not enough. I had to know the birth time, color of eyes, hair color, skin tone, who the child looked like (?), why the particular name, and other things I can't even think of now. Men were happy with date, name and size

Juts make 'em up. It's fun, and who's gonna know?

-ERD50

 

[Ronstar]

Yep its happening here too. Our niece is having a baby girl in April, yet DW's shopping has already begun

 

[Bestwifeever]

.... I suggest everyone buy stock in Babies R Us. DW and her sister are doing their best to make sure it goes up.

Perhaps I'm missing something but AFAIK babies don't care about any of this. They're pretty simple - keep 'em warm, fed, dry and cuddled and they're happy.

Here is the pacifier department at the baby store, including special pacifier sterilizing machines, pacifier wipes, and hundreds of different pacifiers to choose from. Baby doesn't care but heaven help the person who buys the wrong pacifier (I know this for a fact )

 

[Moemg]

I went gaga when my grandchildren were born . Babies r us should send my daughter a thank you because I am sure I helped their sales that year . Now toys r us gets my money .There is something about babies especially grandchildren that melt your heart and open your wallet .

 

[Turboslacker]

Just say "ya that really is cute" a lot. Oh wow and it was even on sale you did great honey. Much happier relationship. Oh ya I'm a guy and a sucker for babies too. I think they are great.

Sent from my HTC One using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[MooreBonds]

Here is the pacifier department at the baby store, including special pacifier sterilizing machines, pacifier wipes, and hundreds of different pacifiers to choose from. Baby doesn't care but heaven help the person who buys the wrong pacifier (I know this for a fact )

As a single guy who's hoping to get married and have kids someday (and who's never shopped for baby stuff), all I can do is look stunned at that with my mouth gaping open. Heaven help me if/when I become a dad and have to buy baby stuff!

 

[Khan]

I seem to live in a different world.

 

[Meadbh]

Here are the gifts your baby REALLY wants:

1. A substance free uterus to grow and develop in
2. To be breastfed for as long as possible
3. A safe environment (includes a clean bottom)
4. Most importantly......your love.

And that is all.

 

[ShortInSeattle]

Amongst the childfree, this phenomenon is known as "Baby Rabies."

"My sister totally has baby rabies..." (ie: gets glassy eyed and starts foaming at the mouth at the sight of adorable babies)

I've never been afflicted, but the side effects are few, and it's duration is temporary.

 

[Dreamer]

I have always loved babies and I absolutely adore my granddaughter. I do not feel like I go overboard on spending money on her though. I do buy her things, but I am still pretty frugal. We just bought her a DVD that she wants for Valentine's Day, but it was only $12.96. We have spent more money on experiences with her, such as Disneyland, flying to CA when she lived there and getting her and flying back to take her to Ocracoke Island NC for vacation with us and then flying her back home, taking her to Idlewild Amusement Park and paying for swimming lessons and gymnastics for her. We have her on Thursday nights (her parent's date night) and we love playing board games and card games with her also. I agree that love is the most important thing that you can give to babies and children!

 

[Brat]

When my kids were babies in all honesty a snap on ones-ie was all I had time to dress them in. Keep it simple and keep them clean was my motto.

Now grand children, DIFFERENT STORY!

 

[kramer]

I can't speak for all women but I will say I lose all sense of reason when it comes to babies (and weddings too). My youngest brother is getting married in October and I am beyond excited for the wedding and the babies (hopefully) to follow. There's just something about those tiny, precious, totally dependent human beings that makes me go googoogaagaa. I think you should just sit back and watch the show. And I agree with "Yes dear".

Thank you for sharing this.

All of the sentiments you express here are completely alien to me, almost bizarre. But it helps me to understand the opposite sex better and I respect your sentiments.

 

[gauss]

One of DW's nieces is due to have a baby in about six weeks, and there is a baby shower for her next week. Normally very sensible and frugal, DW and her sister have gone berserk. Emotions rule, reason and logic have ceased to exist in their universe. If it is "For The Baby" it is deemed Good. I suggest everyone buy stock in Babies R Us. DW and her sister are doing their best to make sure it goes up.

Chuckle - reminds me of a Seinfeld episode.

-gausss

 

[Walt34]

I can't speak for all women but I will say I lose all sense of reason when it comes to babies (and weddings too).

This is good to know that it is pretty much universal. It is kind of fun to watch DW having a good time with it all and like Michael said we've been married long enough that I know when it is best to just say "yes dear" and get out of the way.

 

[frayne]

Here are the gifts your baby REALLY wants:

1. A substance free uterus to grow and develop in
2. To be breastfed for as long as possible
3. A safe environment (includes a clean bottom)
4. Most importantly......your love.

And that is all.

I'll take 2 thru 4 in my old age and be a happy camper.

Congrats on the baby.

 

[Sanbenito1]

This woman goes ga-ga over kittens and puppies, not babies.

 

[dontworry]

This woman goes ga-ga over kittens and puppies, not babies.

Me too!