To be miffed at all the presents for being a wife and mother

[Creamcustards]

Inspired by the baby shower thread.

What is it that makes us ‘reward’ getting married and having children with money and gifts?! I mean, surely the joy of the marriage / the child is enough!?

Yes, I am single and childfree. Maybe a little bit bitter?!! When I get a pet or a new job or there some other happy event in my life I don’t get showered with gifts / money!

Grr.

I assume you won’t want any wedding presents when and if you get married then OP? Or any baby gifts when and if you have a baby or adopt?

Never had a baby shower (wish they were a thing when I had mine though!) and we already had a house when we got married but I appreciated the thought behind the gifts anyway.

Celebration of someone doesn't have to be financial or involve buying someone tat they don't need. Making a video of friends and family saying congrats, good luck in your new house, would show care and love.

@winifredwells

But married mothers expect gifts for getting married, every time they procreate, possibly even christenings, children’s birthdays and Christmas etc etc too and not reciprocate with other gifts that balance the imbalance back up.

😂

you do need better friends, it's just you I am afraid!

I have noticed that my children's friends now seem to have engagement parties, weddings, gender reveal parties, baby showers, birth, all of which seem to need a significant expenditure, as well as the inevitable three-day-event stag/hen does. Glad I'm not young any more.

I am the generation that is currently getting married and having babies and most people are not doing all those things, and if they are doing some of them, presents certainly aren’t usual beyond wedding and baby shower/birth.

@JudgeJ that’s a really sad way to look at things. They’re supposed to be an opportunity/ excuse to have fun/ see friends and family/ relax and celebrate. No one is obliged to go if they don’t want to.

Because growing a human and getting it from inside to outside, however you do it, is an enormous life changing event that I didn’t understand previously. Now I do.

I thought my friend was crazy when she cried when I got pregnant, now I get it totally.