I’m a brat. I know it. I complain about things that I know I’m lucky by the world’s standards to complain about. But hey, if I didn’t complain, what would I blog about???
This weekend we drove up to the Bay Area to spend the weekend at Andy’s aunt’s house. The whole family congregated there and we had a really great time. It was fun to just hang out and relax with people you don’t see nearly often enough. While we were up there, we figured we would take a couple of hours and go register at a Babies R Us. There isn’t one near us in Santa Maria, but there are stores near most of the people we’d be inviting to a baby shower.
Anyway, we got there and sat down at this huge kiosk desk to get started. The girl helping annoyed me. I think she thought she was being cute and quirky, but she was just being obnoxious. She walked us through every imaginable detail of registries and the store layout. There were even plugs for specific products, etc. What seemed like forever finally passed and we were sent on our way with a little scanner. (Probably more like 20 minutes).
Where on earth do you start when there is a store exclusively for baby stuff the size of a Home Depot? It was overwhelming to say the least. So, we just pick an aisle and go for it. The sheer variety of items to choose from was unbelieveable. Case in point: a portable crib. Simple device, handy to have. But oh no. There are 20 varieties ranging in price from 69.99 to 289.99. Are you kidding me??? Who cares if it has a retractable canopy and stylish fabrics? It’s a pack and play! Then there were the wide variety of gadgets and whozits. All kinds of specialized things to make your life easier. All at the low price of 19.99.
There were three different brands of PeePee TeePees. These little felt cone shaped things that you basically used to keep your new baby boy from peeing all over you. Whatever happened to just covering him with the diaper? Do you really need a little sno-cone shaped doohicky to cover it up? And do we really need three different companies making this? You can pick blue, baby blue, or red in case you were interested.
There was the baby bib that said in big bold letters: “Future Millionaire”. Thanks society. Because THAT’s what’s important.
There were about 10 different baby bathtubs. I’ll stick to the plain blue one that I think has been in production since 1953.
So, by about half way through this debacle I was thoroughly annoyed and ready to be done with the whole thing. Don’t get me wrong…I like nice things and I’m not a minimalist. I usually buy stuff that’s closer to top of the line…not because I’m high maintenance, but because I’m cheap and lazy. Look, I’d rather pay $200 for a nice watch and wear it for 20 years, then to pay $15 for a watch that eats batteries, falls apart, and needs replaced in two years’ time. Quality is worth it to me. My point is that while I very much appreciate good things, I felt like the consumerism was more than I could bear. No wonder people are overwhelmed by having a child! I was less stressed about being a mom before I registered! But, Babies R Us kinda has the monopoly on baby products. Sure, Target has some baby stuff, but it’s a pretty small three aisles. We’ll likely register for a few things there too for people who may not havea BRU near them…let’s hope it’s less overwhelming! I don’t know why, but I remember enjoying registering when we got married! I wonder what the difference is?
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WOOHOO! A new post! :)
Um yeah, just think about how much money they’re making off all the neurotic moms who think they need all those gizmos (that their kid will only use for a couple of months!)
There really aren’t many baby things I “couldn’t live without.” I try to save money where I can (but occasionally will buy the more expensive item if I deem it worth it.)
Consumerism is yucky and it is alive and well when it comes to the baby industry!!!!!
Oh my gosh I was totally overwhelmed by the whole registery thing. All the swings looked the same to me, and I didn’t know if I should register for bibs or just hope people would get her cute bibs. AND talk about over stimulation! What happened to the baby sitting in the infant seat to watch you do the dishes and listen to you hum. NO, now they are vibrating, getting massaged, watching lights flash on three hanging toys and listening to a computerized version brahms lullaby. Geez!
I agree with the blatant consumerism being overwhelming. I just kept thinking, “How did my mom raise me w/o all that stuff? and How did I raise Andy and Duncan?” Pee pee tee pees indeed! I love how grounded you are in reality, Jeannett! And you look “cute” pregnant not poofy! It was sooo good to see you both and spend some time. Thanks for driving up!
Love you all!
I’ve never heard of any pee pee cone, but honestly they might be on to something. And I don’t know about a cone, but a nice size stack of baby washcloths was well worth the investment! Trust me, clean up a room with urine everywhere and you’ll want some washcloths. Still I’m with you that the baby industry is a total racket. I eventually learned that other moms I trusted gave me the best advice, more than any book, and saved me a lot of time.
diapers, wipes, jammies and a baby bed. that’s all you REALLY need. at least for the first few weeks.
fyi – i was just at motherhood in slo, and they have just what you need: a peepee teepee with airplanes on it!
Register via internet. You can find most of the products online, read reviews if you are into that, and skip the craziness of it all. It took me about seven trips to Babies R Us to register for my first, it was too overwhelming. We registered this time too just because a few people wanted to get us something, but I did it all online through Target, but again, didn’t need any of it.