You know, we honestly should have sorted everything out before the baby arrived!
Honestly, my discharge day from hospital was quite something. Ben, my husband, was at work and came to fetch me straight from the office. I kept asking him to take some time off or at least a day, but his manager just wouldnt let him. Id pleaded with him to sort out everything for the baby he promised he would do it all. If hed stuck to his word, wed have had all the laundry done, done a proper shop, and the house wouldve been in order by the time we brought our little one home. As it turned out well! It was a total shambles youd laugh if it werent so embarrassing.
I asked, Didnt you say youd see to it all? But the truth is, I ended up going into hospital completely unprepared. When I finally got home, the place was an absolute tip. Family came round and I was mortified. There was so much dust, I couldve drawn pictures in it. Still no pram in sight, no chest of drawers for the baby, not even a hint that hed thought about all the baby clothes. Good thing a couple of my girlfriends came through with a bunch of nappies for us!
Ben and I have been married six years now. We waited ages to have a baby, hoping to get ourselves a bit more stable first. Once things picked up for us, I finally decided it was time. I even told my boss as soon as I found out I was pregnant, but he sacked me on the spot. Most people wouldve fought, but to be honest, I took it as a sign. I settled into the idea of motherhood, spent time doing bits of embroidery, and soaking up some rare peace. We werent struggling for cash anyway Ben had just landed a promotion.
The pregnancy went without any hiccups. I read loads, went for long walks in the park, and browsed at ease for the baby. But Ben insisted I shouldnt buy a single thing until after the birth. He said, Its bad luck to shop for the baby before its born, or something like that. My sister promised us her old cot and dresser, even put aside a box of little bits for us too. She told me I ought to get it all in ahead of time, give it all a good clean, get things washed and sorted out. Yet, in reality, I only packed my hospital bag because Ben wouldn’t let me do anything else beforehand.
Then, when my labour started, Ben suddenly panicked realised how much wed left to do and how much everything would cost. Even during the birth, I was stressed out thinking about the wet washing still sitting in the machine because I hadnt had time to hang it out before leaving for the hospital. So it just sat there, getting musty until I got home again.
Thank heavens for my mates they gave me some outfits and nappies, so at least I had something to dress our son in. But Ben was just running around town like a headless chicken, trying to find baby things. Everything he got was dirty, covered in dust and stains. I had to wash the whole lot and wait for it to dry before it was useable. At that point, I could have strangled Ben or packed a bag and left all my relatives behind!
It took me days to whip the flat into some sort of shape. Its been two months since our little boy arrived, but honestly, Ive not felt up to having anyone over yet. The family reckon enough times passed and they should be allowed to visit. They want me to put on a lovely Sunday roast or something. As if! They might as well have sent out invitations behind my back the lot of them!
My mum just cant get her head around why Im not brimming with happiness. Its clear as day the flat wasnt ready for a babys homecoming. She keeps saying I shouldve planned it myself I had nine whole months at home, what was I doing with myself? I couldve just told Ben to lug in the furniture and give everything a good scrub. And surely, I could have talked him round on shopping for a few baby essentials. In the end, she says, you can only rely on yourself. Who leaves it to a bloke, really?
What do you reckon? Is it really on me to be cross with my family, or did I bring this all on myself? Should I have been the one to get things sorted for the baby? What would you have done if you were in my shoes?
