Ok, so I have to rant about this...
Today on Facebook (I am an addict, and not seeking recovery at the moment) a friend of mine posted this status update -
"is giving away an almost-4-year-old boy. Delivery available. Special consideration for anyone interested in a slightly older model as well, taken as a pair. Serious inquiries only please, references not required."
I have to say, this infuriated me when I first saw it! Why do parents think it is ok to joke about giving their kids away? Don't they realize the gift they have, and that those of us with infertility would give anything to be in their shoes? Why do parents think it is ok to joke like this? How many of you have had parents casually say/ask they'll give you their kids, without realizing the pain they are causing? By the way, this person has 4 children all under the age of 6.
Maybe I am overly sensitive. Sure, parents have the right to kvetch about their kids. But joking about giving them away shouldn't be ok, especially when there are so many people who want to be parents and can't.
Thoughts?
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Hmm...I've probably joked about this in real life (IRL) with some people, but I like to think I wouldn't do so in front of/with anyone with infertility issues.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like, when talking with colleagues at school about the kids- to someone who doesn't work in a school, it might sound like we hated kids sometimes, but it's a way to blow off steam.
Another example that occurs to me is doctors/nurses/EMTs (my mom is a nurse and an EMT.)- they frequently engage in gallows humor about the stuff they see every day, and it doesn't mean they don't care- it's a way of blowing off steam so they can cope with what they do each day. (I think the general public would be horrified to hear some of the things my mother has said about past patients in a joking manner, truthfully!)
I don't mean to suggest being a parent is something one "copes" with, BTW. But, like pretty much anything else in this life, it can and does have its stressful moments, and blowing off steam can be helpful.
I'm more shocked that this woman has 4 children under 6 years old...is she insane? super religious? insane? Just 'cause you can doesn't mean you should. And, yes, you're being over sensitive.
ReplyDeleteTell her I'll take the pair. Delivery to Australia. Serious enquiry.
ReplyDeleteI always get frustrated with those kind of comments or ones about how awful pregnancy is. I'll trade problems with them any day!
ReplyDelete