Your baby and me
This year I’ve welcomed two friends into The Club. It’s
always a thrill, a laugh, a temptation. They know so much, so suddenly, and my
heart almost bursts with vicarious thrill. I’ve laughed as they frantically
learn to balance what they’ve called life with full responsibility for another,
the oh-my-god of the first health concerns. I remember.
Seeing that contented glaze in my friends’ faces, there is
temptation. Three? Why not four? But a back injury
reminds me of our age, and 10 years of diapers has been plenty. Time for the next thing, yes.
Anyway, it’s not about me. What to do for new parents? We
all offer to do whatever they need, but new parents are often too embarrassed
to actually ask for help. Some piece of spectacular, modern baby gear, perhaps?
Most are luxuries, really. Diapers are expensive and a long supply is usually
appreciated, sort of: “Oh. Diapers. Thanks.”
We like to bring a meal. New parents are a bit like
children, taking some time to remember how to take care of themselves.
They eat poorly or not at all, or spend too much on takeout. A complete meal
delivered ready to eat — better still, one that will provide another meal or
so in leftover form — is always appreciated in a deep way. Yes, that’s a food writer speaking, but trust me.
Do it in the first two weeks. Or get a group of friends to
each agree to a night apiece. Plus, it gets you into the house briefly to see
that baby and feel all that stuff again. And then you can leave and get on with
your own life.
This article appears in Aug 16-22, 2006.
