I'm definitely getting tired of all the pregnancy comments and the belly stares lately. Today I thought I'd venture out of the house. Alexis and I went to a home decor store. While there a lady said "well aren't you just ready to pop any day now". For one I just hate the term "ready to pop". To me it sounds like someone comparing something as special as a pregnancy to a balloon getting blown up bigger and bigger until it pops because it gets to0 huge! In my nicest voice I could muster up I said to the lady "actually I have 5 more weeks." I didn't want to sound rude so I added "getting close though!" Her next comment I didn't really know how to reply to she says "Oh you poor thing". I know I must look terribly uncomfortable and I admit it is partially true I am pretty uncomfortable! I don't however feel sorry or feel that people should feel sorry for me either. I am thrilled to be pregnant and feel it is such an amazing miracle. I don't feel like I'm "a poor unfortunate soul" as Ursala from The Little Mermaid would say. I know people mean well most of the time but I just find it so insensitive that people think it's ok to tell you your huge when your pregnant. As if I'm not totally aware of this! If I go out in public I get the comment from almost everyone I talk to "when are you due". I look back now and realize that I'm guilty of saying this to other pregnant women. I will jot down in my memory bank to not ask other pregnant women their due date after they are 20 weeks pregnant or more. I will try to remember to be sensitive to others more often and think before saying things like "I was huge too when I was pregnant with my first child I gained 50 pounds". (to this comment made to me by someone I was thinking in my head "I must look like I have gained 50 pounds") . I have found that unless you are the person who is going through something directly you cannot know how another person is feeling and should not assume how they are feeling either. This goes for not just pregnancy of course. There is a wonderful article that was in the Ensign in June 2008 titled Cultivating Sensitivity to Others. The article was written by Andrea Worthington Snarr. I think it is a great article to remember.
I got this from a pregnancy website that emails updates to me on my pregnancy
Useful comebacks to rude pregnancy comments
• "At least I made somebody's heart and brain today. What did you do?"
• "You're huge too — and you don't have the excuse of
another person living inside you."
• "Go ahead, but I'm not touching yours."
5 comments:
I love it! I totally agree! People would say those things to me too. I think you look beautiful pregnant! I love you tons!
Hey Emily, I haven't gotten quite so many comments. People mostly ask if I'm having a boy or a girl. I think Utahns are used to seeing pregnant women a lot more. I have thought of wearing that t-shirt though with all the vital info that everyone asks. Would save a lot of annoying small talk conversations with people I don't know. Good luck with the last few weeks. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for him to come a few weeks early. Except for when i think about the sleep deprivation a newborn causes. Oh well.
I loved this post, Ems! And I love the one below it with Alexis' imaginary family without brains. She's so funny! Your crocheted hats are so so so cute! And even if it doesn't seem like it to you, you have got to be the cutest pregnant woman ever.
People do say the dumbest things and it always makes me afraid that I do the same thing without knowing it. I read "Cultivating Sensitivity to Others" and saved it because I thought it was such a wonderful article. I think we could all do with trying to be a bit more sensitive to those around us. 5 more weeks is great. I am so excited for you!
ha. you are funny girl! I'm so glad you are pregnant! I've never felt the way most seem to about pregnancy. I loved being pregnant and was more sad when she came out that I didn't have that constant companion. And I loved people touching my tummy. It was fun, and a reminder that something special was going on in my tummy. But I totally understand too. When you are close to the end emotions are crazy and no one likes being told they are huge. Although I always wanted to be huge and look pregnant rather than small and just look fat.
I think pregnant women are beautiful, and right now I'm totally jealous of anyone who is pregnant since it's been nearly 3 years since we've been trying. enjoy it for me!
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