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.
continue reading at http://paurtalk.blogspot.com/
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/.