Hiring a Baby Planner, Ridiculous or Smart?

Tuesday, 08 December 2009

Hiring a Baby Planner, Ridiculous or Smart?

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First there were honeymoons for newly married couples and then came babymoons for expecting parents. Now the wedding planning idea has given birth to baby planners!

Recently, I read an article on msnbc.com from the Associated Press, titled “Busy and baffled, new moms hire baby planners: Best car seat? Phthalate-free bottles? Pregnant couples turn to the experts”. After reading this article I could not stop thinking about two things.

Are American parents that lazy that they don’t want to do their own research for baby’s arrival? Or are Americans that busy that for the 9-months baby is in belly the parents can’t do some research and make their own decisions about what products are right for their own family?

Lazy
I understand that there are a TON of products for baby out there on the market. I understand that the immense amount of decisions a parent has to make about what products to purchase can be extremely overwhelming. I get all of that. But isn’t researching, going shopping, touching and feeling the products out there for yourself part of the joy of having a baby on the way? Why would you want to miss doing any of this on your own?

Think about it, you are going to be the parent of the child, not the random planner that you hire. So don’t you want to have more control and say as to what products will come into your home and touch your baby?

I know baby planners are not evil people looking to make you buy all of the wrong items but what if they just don’t know what would actually work best for you. Planners simply can not know everything about your personality, wants and needs by having you answer a few questions and meeting you a handful of times. Out of everyone in the world wouldn’t you think that you and your spouse would know what would be best for the two of you as well as the baby on the way?

Busy

Ok, I also get that people are busy! People seem to constantly be rushing around these days. Everyone seems to be trying to fit in a ridiculous amount of stuff into their schedules each and every day. But if you are so busy that you can’t stop at a store to look at some baby products or pick up a book or catalogue to check out what is on the market then maybe you should not be having a child in the first place. If you don’t have time to plan your baby’s arrival how will you have time for the baby when he or she actually arrives?

Maybe I will change my mind once I become pregnant and am tired and stressed out but until then I am not so sure about these baby planners!

What do you think about baby planners, convenient or ridiculous?

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Comments (12)

Um ridiculous. I think it's mostly because we think we're too busy. If someone thinks they are too busy BEFORE a baby man, they are in for a shock. Plus, most Americans don't want to research safety and deals, it's easier to pay someone to tell us.
When I found out I was pregnant I was in school full-time, work 20-30 hours a week as a nanny, my husband had just deployed so I was dealing with that and our home and our dog, as well as helping take care of my mom who had breast cancer and was going through chemo. (My dad did most of it but he had to travel a lot due to work so I stepped in for a lot of it.) I was busy! But the more I thought about it, a baby doesn't need much. Especially as a newborn. My son is six months old and we have used his crib maybe four or five times, he's slept with us since birth. He needed clothes (onesies and pajamas), blankets and diapers (we use cloth so I already had them.) We didn't need bottles, formula, swings, bouncers, stroller (I wear my son everywhere.) Oh, and we needed a carseat. We think babies need so much but all they really need is comfort, love and clean diapers and momma's milk. Other things come in time. I remember people actually were frustrated because of my registry...it didn't have enough "stuff" on it. So we ended up with a ridiculous amount of clothes! My son is happy, healthy and thriving. He doesn't need much to make him happy.
Also, humans have instincts for a reason! I parent by instinct, not what's popular or trendy, but by what my instinct says. If someone is telling a new mommy what to buy, what to do, ect...how will she learn to listen to that instinct?
- 12/8/2009 3:50 PM
- XxFireXboltxX@xanga (message)
- reply
ridiculous .
- 12/8/2009 4:35 PM
- MiSz_kEl_KeL@xanga (message)
- reply
Ridiculous.
- 12/8/2009 5:48 PM
- bubbelcat (message)
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That is kind of ridiculous. Most parenting magazines have reviews on what is the best item to buy for x,y,z. No need to hire someone to do that research for you.
- 12/8/2009 5:58 PM
- Morningstarrising@xanga (message)
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Ridiculous. If I'm too busy to put everything I have into my baby, I have no business having a baby.

I have to agree with @XxFireXboltxX@xanga - We have instincts. Relying on someone else's opinion, instruction, etc. fully, I think, will deteriorate that. You can't have a planner for your child's full life. What will you rely on when the planner has planned all she can? Every parent needs to find their own parenting style and method - no one can provide that for you and it work out right.
- 12/8/2009 6:13 PM
- DirtyAndShaken@xanga (message)
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this feels more like something for the rich....when I become a mother I want to do my research on my own, or ask my mom for advice; I will NOT pay some other person to tell me what is right and wrong.
- 12/8/2009 6:34 PM
- feelslikejuly@xanga (message)
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I am not a mother (TTC for 3 years as of October 19th 2009) and I am ALREADY doing research and looking at baby clothes. I've actually been doing research on pregnancy and labor since around 16 years old.
- 12/8/2009 8:34 PM
- winter_deathangel@xanga (message)
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I actually think this is a great idea. I am working long hours and hate shopping. I would love someone to set up my registry. I am overwhelmed by all the options and haven't a clue what kind of carseat to buy. I bought a few books, but they are contradicting each other. I think these baby planners might be worth their cost.
- 12/8/2009 11:51 PM
- leanne (message)
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Can I send you my book? Unfortunately, no one understands the true role of a baby planner. It is much more than a product advisor. It's for single moms lie me who had no family or support during my pregnancy. Momaroo, just let me know what email i should send a copy of my ebook. Would love for you to review it :)

Warmly, Mary

http://www.thebabyplanner.com
- 12/9/2009 12:21 AM
- thebabyplanner (message)
- reply
maybe not ridiculous for everyone.. but for me it is. Seriously, I could never let someone else have all the fun of picking out my boys' clothes and bedding and such.. I would NEVER pass those memories up for someone else to do :)
- 12/9/2009 12:22 AM
- JDNCL@xanga (message)
- reply
ridiculous. i gotta agree with you that if you don't have the time or the drive to find your own baby stuff, you don't need to be a parent =]
- 12/9/2009 2:01 AM
- Summer_lovin_sweetie@xanga (message)
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- 12/23/2009 1:38 PM
- jkl338810 (message)
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About the Author

From: michcoy@xanga
Name: Michelle
About Me: I am a full-time nanny who loves to write whenever I can. I also love being outdoors whenever possible. Camping, hiking and kayaking are a few of my favorite activities.