It was a very familiar scene. Eight of my closest family members huddled in the birthing room celebrating the birth of my fourth child. “This is a tradition,” my stepmother said. “We wouldn’t miss this,” she said referring to visiting me while in the hospital and posing for the traditional photo of me holding the baby and the family gathered around the bed.
As we all “oohed and aahed” over the baby my stepmother went on to say, “Just how do you manage to always have your babies on the weekend?” We all thought about it for a moment and she was right. My first baby was born on a Friday night, my second on a Sunday afternoon, and my fourth on a Saturday night. My third was born on a Monday but it felt like a weekend because it was three days before Christmas during “Christmas break.” Nice and convenient for everyone, uh?
We chuckled at this coincidence and then I said, “Maybe I could write a book telling other moms how to plan to have their babies on the weekend and make a bunch of money.” We all laughed. But you’re reading this article aren’t you?
Each year there are over 2,000 self-help books published world-wide. How to Have a Baby on the Weekend: Plan how to give birth when it’s convenient for you and your family, could be one more resource for moms and dads looking for ways to help improve the quality and convenience of their lives. And the amazing thing is—somebody—if not many people, would buy the book.
Common sense tells us that there is no way one can really plan (accept by planned cesarean) which day of the week a woman will give birth, yet as bright, self-aware individuals we’re often enticed by the possibility that we might actually be able to outsmart the forces of nature—not to mention the divine will of God.
However, we must be honest with ourselves. There are some things that we simply cannot control. No matter how many self-help books we read we cannot undo the fact that life happens. Accidents happen, people become ill, you may lose your job, and a loved one may even lose his or her life. Yet the most we can do is respond in a healthy manner.
If something you really want to happen in your life doesn’t happen, know that it is ultimately okay. As long as you’re breathing, life goes on and you can continue to make the best of each day, improving yourself and doing right by the things over which you do have control. That’s the most anyone can do—and with that attitude, you just might have your baby on the weekend.
Copyright ©2005 by Anita S. Lane
Visit the Keeping Family First Website for Moms! http://keepingfamilyfirst.org
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