As promised, tonight you all get two posts. That's right. Two.
A few months ago, I was on the internet, and landed upon a story from a woman who was just furious because she didn't receive a "push present," from her husband when she gave birth. Not knowing what a "push present,"was, I put my Google-fu to use, and did some digging.
I was absolutely blown away by what I discovered. For those of you who don't know what it is, a "push present," is a gift that is given to a fresh-out-of-labor mother by her spouse or significant other. And by gift, I don't mean a bouquet of flowers, or a stuffed animal - we're talking birthday/Christmas grade presents. In the case of the post that I originally landed on, a Gucci handbag. The woman who authored the post was absolutely frenzied because her "inconsiderate, and selfish," husband did not buy her the Gucci bag she had been eyeing since before she gave birth.
Naturally, my reaction when I began reading through this was laughter. "How can she be serious?" I thought to myself. But then I kept reading, and realized she was 100% deadly serious. My reaction quickly went from humor to shock.
Once I finished reading this blog post, I called Mrs. J to ask her if she'd ever heard of a "push present." When she told me she hadn't, she asked me to explain it to her. So I did. Upon the end of my explanation, I was met with a chuckle, and a very direct, "That's dumb. Why would I want an expensive purse? I have expensive purses, and I'm getting a baby!" Once I hung up the phone, I was awash with relief, "Good, I'm not crazy." I thought to myself. Then, being the type of person who is always seeking to learn and understand, I did some more digging. I perused Reddit about the topic, various blog-sites, and even a few mommy discussion groups. That's when I realized that these "push presents," are more and more common, and fairly mainstream in today's society. I think, anyway. Being that I don't have a large sample to poll about the subject, I'll continue to rely on my internet findings. In-fact, I found several large and heated discussions on the internet taking place between pro-push present moms, and anti-push present moms. Many women on the internet share the same views as Mrs. J and I, and think they're a ridiculous and outlandish idea. However, just as many women vapidly defend the concept, and feel that all men should participate in this gift-giving event.
I don't want anyone to read this, and think that I'm of the mindset that childbirth is a walk in the park, or that it's a comfortable experience. I can only imagine the pain that a woman endures whilst giving birth, or even during gestation. I do, however, think that it's quite ridiculous to expect expensive gifts for giving birth to your child. I believe that both you and your partner are receiving the ultimate gift - life. The joy that your little ball of light is going to bring and enrich your life with is more of a gift than money could ever provide.
On the other side of the coin, that I don't think many women think about (hell, that I don't think anyone really thinks about), is what dad feels through the whole process. While expecting fathers certainly don't go through the physical discomfort of carrying a child, or the pain involved with popping the little tyke out, pregnancy is hardly a trip to Disneyland for us, either. Whether it be irrational emotional outbursts, midnight runs to the grocery store for unfathomable cravings, or any number of other pregnancy-related events, it's not easy for us. Anyway, I'm getting off track - the point I'm trying to make is, you don't see dad's-to-be expecting a new flatscreen for doing our part during all of this. We're expected to do it, and better damn well do it with a smile on our faces.
And if you are a dad-to-be, and expect a new flatscreen for doing what's expected of you - you're an asshole (pardon my language), and have no business taking care of anyone, let alone a child. As partners in the journey, we're expected to take care of mom, and that baby when he or she arrives.
I look at it this way, and maybe it makes me sound like kind of an ass, but women for thousands of years have given birth without expecting presents. Why is this all of a sudden a thing?
I do realize that there's a good chance that some of the parents to be that may end up here on this blog may be pro-push present. If that's the case, you're probably pissed. But, until someone can present a reasonable argument in favor of push presents and convince me otherwise, I just can't see how anyone could justifiably expect one.
Hopefully I've not incited any flame-wars anywhere, or angered any of our readers, and in trying to avoid that, I'm going to end this post here.
Good evening, all, and I'll see you next time.
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