Monday 22 April 2013

Confession Time....


I have a deep, dark secret. It's a secret I have been harbouring for some time now.

I fear that in revealing this secret, I maybe come an outcast. Shunned. Ridiculed and thrown to the lions.

You see I'm different. There is one aspect of motherhood which just doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. That I have no interest in whatsoever.

Prams. Buggies. Strollers.

Yup. I have said it. I am a mum, and I am most certainly NOT a pram-o-holic.

I do not lust after a Phil & Ted what-ever-you-call-it or the latest Bugaboo thingummy-bob. In fact in a quiz of pram brands I'd come bottom of the class.

I just don't get it. A pram to me is a piece of equipment. My interest in it goes as far as this -can it transport a small person from A to B in relative comfort, dryness and without freezing to death. I care not for innovative design. I don't really care if it's multi directional, 360 degree swivel seating. I don't really mind if it is in this seasons most fashionable colours. I don't care if it has shiny wheels, a pedometer and a cup holder for my latte (or frappe).


The fact that I feel this way gets to me. What's wrong with me. Shouldn't I be lusting after the latest perambulatory device like everyone else? Cooing over pram press releases on twitter?

I know quite a few mummies who have gone through at least 2-3 prams/buggies for ONE child. I've asked if it was because the previous pram wasn't suitable or practical enough. Most of the time the answer is no. They were merely seduced by the enigmatic curves and devilishly decadent design of the latest model on the market.  Maybe I'm more head than heart about it though. Maybe that is my problem. If I even toy with the idea of a new pram, all I can think of is that I'd have to learn how to work the damn thing! Learn how it folds, learn how to recline the seat, how to put on the rain cover. All those horribly mundane and eye wateringly annoying aspects of new pram ownership.

I wish someone could explain to me, the joy of prams. I really do. I don't want anyone to think I am having a pop at all the pram junkies out there. I just don't understand.  This is the first time I have admitted it though. When other pram savvy parents tell me all about their new kit I nod along enthusiastically trying to understand their immense joy. I fake it. I just don't have the heart to be a killjoy and say what I'm really thinking. Which is this...

"BUT IT'S ONLY A PRAM."

Am I the only one who feels this way? I don't think I have ever met another mum who will admit to it. Are you out there? Someone? Anyone?

That's my dirty little secret.  So where does that leave me? I feel like I'm standing awkwardly, alone in the corner of the playground. The weird one who doesn't like prams. I really hope this isn't like primary school, were I was shunned for not liking New Kids On The Block....

























10 comments:

Unknown said...

My only criteria for a buggy is that it is cheap and fit for purpose! :)

Marilynn said...

You can be on my gang! :-)

Anonymous said...

Nope I feel exactly the same too. They're just prams for gods sake!

Marilynn said...

Yes! I like your thinking. I knew I couldn't be the only one out there!

Jennifer Jain said...

I'm exactly the same! I must admit though that we have had four between our two children, but each had a specific purpose - a lay flat pram for babies with wheels which fitted the car seat, a small lightweight buggy, a three wheeler for jogging behind (and also for the brief period we had two children in pushchairs) and a super cheap one (about £7 or something) for holidays and general bashing about. I just don't understand the need for a designer pushchair, they are sooo expensive and you only use them for a few years.

Unknown said...

Love this! My pram has already made me cry actual tears twice due to sheer frustration from me not being able to work it and my baby is still in the womb!! x

Distressed Housewife said...

Wash your mouth out, how very DARE you?! Kidding, I don't get it either so we can stand together in the playground whilst everyone else points and laughs at us. Not liking New Kids on the Block, however, is an ENTIRELY different matter... Great post ;)

Marilynn said...

Thanks for your comment! I am starting to realise I'm not the only one who feels this way now! I will admit to having two prams. Only because our big one was a travel system (bought with car seat and all the paraphernalia) so needed something smaller to take in the car for trips away or easier to manage on public transport etc! You are definitely like me, all I want is something cheap, easy to use and fit for purpose! :-)

Marilynn said...

Awww! No doubt your hormones will not be helping. I remember being the same trying to get to grips with our pram too. I think I burst into tears trying to get the rain cover on for the first time! Being hormonal has a lot to answer for! You'll look back on it and laugh I'm sure! Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy, hope you are not too stressed by baby stuff yet!

Marilynn said...

Ha ha! I was actually scared there for a minute! You'll never change my mind about New Kids on the Block though. It's not like I hated them, I just didn't really get the hype. I bet you had all the posters though! ;-)

Post a Comment

 

Blog Template by BloggerCandy.com