Baby Not Welcomed

by C.L. Paur

 Celebrating the birth of a new royal baby this week. Probably lots of babies being born this week that didn't make it in the news. Probably a lot of babies that didn't make it at all. Life that is....

Our culture suffers from a strange dichotomy of sorts. We want babies, but they have to fit into our lives, much like a new piece of furniture. "What corner will this fit into?"

And of course, one or two kids max--unless a third one pops in accidentally. You know, "That accident" (such an esteem builder when parents tell their kids they're accidents).

I've talked about this before. Some might even think I've brought this subject up ad nauseum. But day in and day out we're being bombarded with the message that only "wanted" children are accepted children.

Just happened the other night. We were watching Disney's "Dog With a Blog." I love that show, though it has its weaknesses. But my daughters and I were very disappointed with the episode when the kids thought their parents were going to have a new baby. Stan, the dog, who talks only to the children, is sent to spy on the parents. Confusing their conversation, he tells the children the "new addition" will be a new child.

Tyler and Chloe fantasize on how the new baby will enhance their lives. Tyler dreams the new baby will attract more girls. Chloe dreams about baby chicks. Avery, the sensible one, tells them the baby is a bad idea.

In the end they discover Mom only wanted a new addition with her own bathroom and Dad wanted a boat.

What a message. "What's in it for me?" And if the answer is nothing, then don't have a baby....

We forget so quickly that we were zygotes, fetuses, newborns, infants, children, teens, adults.... Maybe we were "accidents" as well. We had poopy diapers, kept our parents up into the night with tears, threw tantrums, spilt milk, broke a vase, ended up in the emergency room, kept our parents up into the night with worry, and on and on.


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Paur has just published her debut novel STORIES. It is available at AuthorHouse, Amazon,and Barnes and Noble. Paur holds a BS in Psychology from U.W. Parkside, and a MA in Communications from Marquette University. Her work has appeared in CSI Media, Our Sunday Visitor, Canticle Magazine, Milwaukee Magazine and other news publications. She also co-hosted On-the-Way, a radio program for a local affiliate of Relevant Radio. Currently she’s writing Waves, the sequel to Stories, as well as other novels, children’s stories, and screenplays. To learn more about Paur’s upcoming books, speaking engagements, and book signings, go to www.clpaur.com. You can email Paur at storiesaua@gmail.com, and “like” Stories at http://www.facebook.com/.