Hubby, Gavin, Gareth and I were at 1Utama when hubby suggested I try on some clothes for Chinese New Year. So while I was in the shop, hubby was walking around with Gareth in the stroller and Gavin helping him push the stroller. Hubby overheard an observation from two ladies who were minding their children:
Lady 1: Look at that man! He’s looking after two children on his own.
Lady 2: Forget about two children, my husband can’t even handle one on his own!
Little did they know that hubby was not on his own. Nevertheless, it was sweet of hubby to handle the kids while I tried on clothes.
While we’re on the topic of being out and about with children…
When I first started taking Gavin out with me, hubby and my MIL would often ask why I didn’t take the maid with us since she could help me handle Gavin while we were out. The reason was because I didn’t need her. When we were out, I was the one carrying Gavin, I was the one feeding him, changing his diapers and nursing him. The only time I would need the maid was when we had things to carry – which, frankly, I could carry myself. Even when we went grocery shopping, I would wear Gavin in the carrier, carry the back pack and the groceries on my own – it was my own personal workout since the conventional one was out of the question.
It seemed pointless to bring her with us because it made me feel like I had a shadow without a purpose. The one time she followed me out, I understood what it was like to be those VIPs with body guards. I felt uncomfortable for her having to trail after us with nothing to do. I couldn’t take my time to do the things I wanted because I felt I was keeping her waiting. So in the end, I never bothered to take her with me when I went out with Gavin.
Now that I have two children, I have had to rethink the whole “getting help” issue. Although I still prefer to go out on my own, I know it isn’t realistic with Gavin and Gareth together. I’ve had Gavin attempt to run off on his own too many times for me to feel comfortable handling the both of them in a shopping mall on my own. Not to mention when he decides he wants to be carried and I’m currently in no condition to carry him (although I still do on occasion despite what do the doctor said), let alone him and a baby what with my rectus abdominis still separated.
Since we’re still waiting on our new maid to arrive, these days I don’t go out with the two kids unless another adult is with me. Although I’m sure they don’t mind accompanying me, I still can’t help feeling like an inconvenience.
Mamapumpkin says
I’m totally with u on this. I can’t stand bringing my maid out unless I really have to but both sets of grandparents insist I bring the maid out? What for?!!
Shen-Li says
Exactly! I don’t understand why they think it is so difficult to manage a child while out. The purpose of going out with my child is to spend time with him. When the maid is around, it feels like someone is intruding on our private time.