UOs

typeset

Hm?

awc1986

My UO is that I have no interest in water births. It just doesn't appeal to me. My local hospital's midwifery led unit are really pushing them though, since they got 2 new birthing pools. The midwife was lecturing me yesterday on how great they are. I just told her I'm keeping an open mind to get her to shut up. I'm not about to be railroaded into a birthing technique that I'm not interested in.
Other women can do whatever they like when they give birth, but people need to respect that the thought just doesn't appeal to me.

Nikkidoll15

awc1986 said:

My UO is that I have no interest in water births. It just doesn't appeal to me. My local hospital's midwifery led unit are really pushing them though, since they got 2 new birthing pools. The midwife was lecturing me yesterday on how great they are. I just told her I'm keeping an open mind to get her to shut up. I'm not about to be railroaded into a birthing technique that I'm not interested in.
Other women can do whatever they like when they give birth, but people need to respect that the thought just doesn't appeal to me.

I have a friend who tells me that she wished she would have done it with her first, she did it with baby #2. She is always saying how I'll regret not doing it and blah blah. It doesn't appeal to me and I have no interest in it either. I get that it's cool for some but it's not my cup of tea and therefore I hate the pushing of the idea as well.

reneewhite90

I hate having anything touch me while I'm in pain; people, blankets, cords... Anything. The BP cuff and oxygen finger monitor drove me INSNANE. It makes my anxiety sky rocket. I feel like I would get so beyond irritated with the fact that I had water surrounding me that it would result in me just thrashing my arms around like a 2 year old in a bath tub. I'd be horribly annoyed, I'm guessing.

Emmagk

awc1986 said:

My UO is that I have no interest in water births. It just doesn't appeal to me. My local hospital's midwifery led unit are really pushing them though, since they got 2 new birthing pools. The midwife was lecturing me yesterday on how great they are. I just told her I'm keeping an open mind to get her to shut up. I'm not about to be railroaded into a birthing technique that I'm not interested in. Other women can do whatever they like when they give birth, but people need to respect that the thought just doesn't appeal to me.

I wish my hospital had birthing pools, it's actually something i'd be interested in. But the hospital here has 1 tub and 1 shower for labouring in, that's 1 for the whole of L&D not 1 per room. I even asked on the tour what happens if i want in the tub and someone else is already using it, the nurse just said she didn't know and that she doesn't work on L&D. So i'm slightly jealous of your options.

RachelCA29

My UO: I don't get people that take their 1 year-old children to Disney world. That is an expensive trip, and I get your excited to share that experience with your kids (I sure am), but at age 1? They won't remember anything, can't do most of the attractions and will probably sleep through most of it. It seems silly to spend all that money on the trip to Florida, park passes, food, hotel, etc. for a trip that the kid won't even remember/sleep through anyway.

I really want to take my kid to Disney world (I never went as a kid), but when he is like 5 or 6, so that he/we get A LOT out of the experience. And also, so that I'm not pushing a stroller or baby carrying all day.

Kageer

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

busterbeagle

Every time I read the words "freezer meals," I gag. Yuck.

IBackBevo

Kageer said:

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

I will not be making that choice as I am a vbac and it is beyond my realm of comfort (plus I plan to get an epi), but I completely "get" it after having had a birth in a hospital where I was basically bullied into unnecessary interventions that led to my C-section.  Plus, if you aren't planning on an epi and are low risk, I would rather be in the comfort of my own home where I can eat and drink and don't have a bunch of strangers interrupting me.

CamrynnsMommy

RachelCA29 said:

My UO: I don't get people that take their 1 year-old children to Disney world. That is an expensive trip, and I get your excited to share that experience with your kids (I sure am), but at age 1? They won't remember anything, can't do most of the attractions and will probably sleep through most of it. It seems silly to spend all that money on the trip to Florida, park passes, food, hotel, etc. for a trip that the kid won't even remember/sleep through anyway.

I really want to take my kid to Disney world (I never went as a kid), but when he is like 5 or 6, so that he/we get A LOT out of the experience. And also, so that I'm not pushing a stroller or baby carrying all day.

I totally agree! And I'm the moron who took a three-year-old, thinking she'd remember. Nope. Lesson learned. I think under 5 is pointless and a waste of money.

awc1986

kitchencolors said:

@awc1986 ITA about water birth.  It has ZERO appeal to me.  ZERO. 

More than anything, I don't want DH chasing my poop around with a little fishing net.

Kageer

IBackBevo said:

Kageer said:

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

I will not be making that choice as I am a vbac and it is beyond my realm of comfort (plus I plan to get an epi), but I completely "get" it after having had a birth in a hospital where I was basically bullied into unnecessary interventions that led to my C-section.  Plus, if you aren't planning on an epi and are low risk, I would rather be in the comfort of my own home where I can eat and drink and don't have a bunch of strangers interrupting me.

And I come from the place of having two complication free "normal births" in a hospital and both my sons requiring extra medical attention at birth for breathing issues. There was no way that could have been predicted and I couldn't imagine being at my home and having both of my kids having to be rushed to the hospital after birth. I am not saying these are common occurrences but it can happen and I am thankful I was in a place where my kids could get the medical attention they needed.

sisterjanet

IBackBevo said:

Kageer said:

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

I will not be making that choice as I am a vbac and it is beyond my realm of comfort (plus I plan to get an epi), but I completely "get" it after having had a birth in a hospital where I was basically bullied into unnecessary interventions that led to my C-section.  Plus, if you aren't planning on an epi and are low risk, I would rather be in the comfort of my own home where I can eat and drink and don't have a bunch of strangers interrupting me.

I agree, Bevo.  I'm too much of a chicken to feel comfortable with a home birth, as the whole "what if something bad happens" is a strong negative motivator for me.  For women who are low risk, into low-intervention/no pain meds births, more sanguine than I am, and have a solid back-up plan, I think it's perfect.

CamrynnsMommy

Kageer said:

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

@Empireceo‌, duty calls.

Eta: @Miles2Go‌

typeset

CamrynnsMommy said:

@Empireceo‌, duty calls.

Hee. Duty. 

typeset

kitchencolors said:

How we choose to birth our children is obviously going to be a personal choice.  I think talking about the choices we make and why we make them can be very valuable.  Throwing around the word irresponsible as a blanket descriptor for a choice we know quite a few moms are making in consultation with medical professionals is really frustrating to me.  Really really frustrating.

Yay women! Yay choices! Yay informed decision making!

I hope you ladies having home births have awesome safe wonderful birth experiences.  Same for those of you in hospitals or birth centers.

What about those squatting in fields? 

sisterjanet

I think the writing in the Harry Potter series is only a very small amount better than the writing in the Twilight series.  The Twilight series is just easier to mock and dismiss because the genre is basically romance instead of fantasy, and the protagonist is a vapid girl instead of an angry boy.

I like the Harry Potter series, but completely disagree with people holding the Harry Potter series up as an excellent thing and a great work of literature.  Nope.  Popular and engaging, especially the first couple times through the series, yes, but not great literature.

Ladiebug30

<~~ Took my 1 year old and my pregnant self to Disney World with my husband this past December. We had a great time except for some weird extra charges we had to deal with. I know my son won't remember the trip. We didn't go for him, but I totally enjoyed my first time there and loved seeing the Christmas lights and parades.

sisterjanet

If you're having a home birth anyway and you live on a farm, then it might not be the worst thing to squat in a field.  Might not be cleanest either, depending on the field, but I don't live on a farm so I'm not sure what fields are actually like.  (When I try to imagine, I come up with itchy, which seems unpleasant even if you're not in labor, but as I say, I'm not that rural.)

awc1986

typeset said:

kitchencolors said:

How we choose to birth our children is obviously going to be a personal choice.  I think talking about the choices we make and why we make them can be very valuable.  Throwing around the word irresponsible as a blanket descriptor for a choice we know quite a few moms are making in consultation with medical professionals is really frustrating to me.  Really really frustrating.

Yay women! Yay choices! Yay informed decision making!

I hope you ladies having home births have awesome safe wonderful birth experiences.  Same for those of you in hospitals or birth centers.

What about those squatting in fields?

 

Personally I'm between a wilderness or koi carp birth.

pandadair

awc1986 said:

@awc1986 ITA about water birth.  It has ZERO appeal to me.  ZERO. 

More than anything, I don't want DH chasing my poop around with a little fishing net.

That right there is argument enough in favor of the water birth for me.

fatbarbie0226

sisterjanet said:

I think the writing in the Harry Potter series is only a very small amount better than the writing in the Twilight series.  The Twilight series is just easier to mock and dismiss because the genre is basically romance instead of fantasy, and the protagonist is a vapid girl instead of an angry boy.

I like the Harry Potter series, but completely disagree with people holding the Harry Potter series up as an excellent thing and a great work of literature.  Nope.  Popular and engaging, especially the first couple times through the series, yes, but not great literature.

BOO! I hate it when Harry Potter gets compared to Twilight. HP is hand over fist better writing, more imaginitive, innovative, more complex story line... Twilight doesn't even hold a candle to HP. They shouldn't even be compared to each other.

HP as great literature? For the young adult literature catagory, it is becoming a classic, for sure! Should it be classified as great literature for adults? Meh, maybe not. But a classic for this generation it definitely is.


Fatbarbie= Harry Potter nerd.

Rocknroll64

My friend had two home births.  It's not like it's just her and her husband winging it.  They had a very experienced team of midwives who bring all the necessary medical supplies.  They have a very detailed plan for any and all complications that could arise.  It's not like they're like "fingers crossed the baby doesn't have breathing issues"  NO. They have all the necessary equipment, exactly the same as a hospital, to deal with a baby born with breathing issues.  

I personally am choosing to have my baby in a hospital for my own reasons but at least I did a tiny bit of research on the subject and I'm not just making stupid uninformed opinions.  Ugh.

meli1025

OK I'm participating today, but leaving for a work lunch soon so it may be a P&R until later. 

I'm all for however anyone wants to give birth, FTR. 

My UO, which I know will be a UO in these parts, is that I really like Dr. Oz.  I was on his show once as a guest (it was kind of dumb, but funny) and he is a REALLY nice person. Some of what we were taping was really sad and was about ovarian cancer...I was crying that's how emotional it got...and then a girl in the audience stood up to ask a question pertaining to her own struggles with PCOS.  She got very emotional and when we went to commercial Dr. Oz went up to her seat to talk to her and hug her, and spent the entire break listening to her and offering advice.  He totally didn't have to do that and he was so compassionate.  I know everyone says they don't see him as a "real doctor", but he actually is a very successful and well respected heart surgeon.  And again, he's super nice.  Not at all phony in person.  I've come across a lot of celebrities living in the NYC area and I can tell you that a lot of them really suck and it's disappointing when you think of them as someone completely different based on how you see them on TV and in the public eye.  Dr. Oz is actually geniune. 

OK I'm done.  Off to my Mexican work lunch.  Have at it.

Nikkidoll15

I'm not looking forward to my kid starting school. All of my friends are into the politics of the parents club world and are always talking about what one family is doing wrong. I just can't with that drama Fest. I'm literally dreading the idea of it all. I mean I'm not one to join the parents club anyways but I feel involved now and I don't even have a kid in school. Basically I think they are all in it for the drama, they are judgey and it's a big circle jerk.

spinsoffresonance

I don't get home births at all. I would never chose it for myself. I like to know that I'm in a place where baby and I will be as safe as possible no matter what complications arise. I wouldn't call them "irresponsible" but I do have a hard time understanding that choice. I'm definitely not brave enough for it (not that I have the option anyways since I require a csection)

My UO is that I think home schooling children should not be allowed. I think you're really doing them a disservice by not putting them in school, both on the social and academic levels. No matter how much you try to socialize your kid, it's really not the same as being in a classroom environment and interacting with other kids 6+ hours a day. Also I don't see how any parent is qualified to teach their kid at the high school level. Sure you can probably wing it for elementary school subjects, but can you really do a good job teaching them calculus and English literature? Physics and a foreign language? organic chemistry and macroeconomics? I don't think so!

lrmrtn

I finally watched the HIMYM finale and was not disappointed with it as it seems everyone else was. Were people upset because it wasn't all happily ever after?

ErikaLynn75

I believe that Dr. Oz really knows what he's talking about and is probably a great doctor when he's working as a doctor. My issue is not with him as much as with his show. Some of the segments just really rub me the wrong way. 

For instance:

Any time he suggests that he has some kind secret knowledge that "your doctor won't tell you about"

The fact that he supports/recommends certain diet pills

Any segment like "You could be suffering from _____ and not even know it!" Or "Could ______ be the reason that you feel so ______??"

It just seems like he's trying to put ideas in peoples heads that there is something wrong with them. And there are a lot of people out there who probably can't take his advice "with a grain of salt" the way a normal, rational, educated person could. 

Some of the stuff he talks about really is helpful though. Like yesterday I caught a segment where he talked about all the different milk alternatives, how they taste, and the pros/cons to each. It was informative and interesting. But it happened right after a segment about Adrenal Fatigue: "Could this be the reason you're so exhausted?" "Most doctors don't think it's a real thing, but it could be happening to you!" 

Kaylee524

fatbarbie0226 said:

I think the writing in the Harry Potter series is only a very small amount better than the writing in the Twilight series.  The Twilight series is just easier to mock and dismiss because the genre is basically romance instead of fantasy, and the protagonist is a vapid girl instead of an angry boy.

I like the Harry Potter series, but completely disagree with people holding the Harry Potter series up as an excellent thing and a great work of literature.  Nope.  Popular and engaging, especially the first couple times through the series, yes, but not great literature.

BOO! I hate it when Harry Potter gets compared to Twilight. HP is hand over fist better writing, more imaginitive, innovative, more complex story line... Twilight doesn't even hold a candle to HP. They shouldn't even be compared to each other. HP as great literature? For the young adult literature catagory, it is becoming a classic, for sure! Should it be classified as great literature for adults? Meh, maybe not. But a classic for this generation it definitely is. Fatbarbie= Harry Potter nerd.

Yeah, I'm going to jump on the pro-Harry Potter train. Just realize that the first book was written for 11-year-olds. It wasn't meant to be great literature for adults. However, the story lines are definitely more complex, and the real-life lessons are way more profound than Twilight.

Also:

ErikaLynn75

lica001 said:

 
My UO is that I think home schooling children should not be allowed. I think you're really doing them a disservice by not putting them in school, both on the social and academic levels. No matter how much you try to socialize your kid, it's really not the same as being in a classroom environment and interacting with other kids 6+ hours a day. Also I don't see how any parent is qualified to teach their kid at the high school level. Sure you can probably wing it for elementary school subjects, but can you really do a good job teaching them calculus and English literature? Physics and a foreign language? organic chemistry and macroeconomics? I don't think so!

I wouldn't go as far as to say homeschooling shouldn't be allowed, but I think anyone who chooses that option needs to educate themselves on the right way to do it. It can't just be parent/teacher and kid/student in your basement/classroom doing worksheets for 6 hours a day. The parent needs to actively seek out and use community resources and create educational experiences in addition to the book work. This is a huge commitment and a lot of work. 

ETA: FTR, yes I do think I could teach Calculus, English Lit, and Macroeconomics. And my husband could probably handle all the sciences. And the benefit of homeschooling would be that if I only had to teach it to one kid, we could get through the textbook in half the time it takes me to teach it in a classroom (I'm a high school math teacher). And we could spend time learning about careers in these fields, job shadowing, visiting museums, historical sites, tons of things that kids in classrooms don't get to do. That's the benefit of homeschooling. Not everyone is cut out for it.

Kaylee524

lica001 said:

I don't get home births at all. I would never chose it for myself. I like to know that I'm in a place where baby and I will be as safe as possible no matter what complications arise. I wouldn't call them "irresponsible" but I do have a hard time understanding that choice. I'm definitely not brave enough for it (not that I have the option anyways since I require a csection)
My UO is that I think home schooling children should not be allowed. I think you're really doing them a disservice by not putting them in school, both on the social and academic levels. No matter how much you try to socialize your kid, it's really not the same as being in a classroom environment and interacting with other kids 6+ hours a day. Also I don't see how any parent is qualified to teach their kid at the high school level. Sure you can probably wing it for elementary school subjects, but can you really do a good job teaching them calculus and English literature? Physics and a foreign language? organic chemistry and macroeconomics? I don't think so!

I have some pretty strong feelings about this. DH was homeschooled for a whole host of reasons, including some health issues and bullying. His parents taught him using approved textbooks and curriculum in elementary school and he transferred to an online charter school in high school. He is one of the smartest people I know, and he's now a successful engineer. And we're both introverts, but neither of us is socially inept, TYVM. Some kids don't learn best by interacting with other kids, and for a lot of us public school was absolute torture.

pistolpackinmomma

lica001 said:

I don't get home births at all. I would never chose it for myself. I like to know that I'm in a place where baby and I will be as safe as possible no matter what complications arise. I wouldn't call them "irresponsible" but I do have a hard time understanding that choice. I'm definitely not brave enough for it (not that I have the option anyways since I require a csection)

My UO is that I think home schooling children should not be allowed. I think you're really doing them a disservice by not putting them in school, both on the social and academic levels. No matter how much you try to socialize your kid, it's really not the same as being in a classroom environment and interacting with other kids 6+ hours a day. Also I don't see how any parent is qualified to teach their kid at the high school level. Sure you can probably wing it for elementary school subjects, but can you really do a good job teaching them calculus and English literature? Physics and a foreign language? organic chemistry and macroeconomics? I don't think so!

The only form of homeschooling I would consider is basically online school. It is through the state and is kind of a combo of public and homeschool. They arrange for field trips with other kids in the program (optional) from time to time. The teacher does the bulk of the teaching but the parents still need to help them quite a bit. I would not want to be writing my own lesson plans. And yes I am prepared to help them with calculus, physics, and a foreign language. Those are some of my fav classes. I only plan on doing this if it is truly in the best interest of our child(ren) such as learning differently than how the school is equipped to teach, being delayed or advanced, etc. My husband and I each struggled in school because we were bored (yes it really does happen) and think a different style of learning would have really helped us.

pistolpackinmomma

I wish we could do a water birth. Our hospital has a labor tub but you have to get out to push. I feel it would be relaxing for me. If I found it annoying then I would climb out and try something different but I really had my heart set on a water birth with DS and was sad when I was told I couldn't push in the tub.

spacepotatoes

Kageer said:

I think choosing a home birth is an irresponsible choice. You have no way of knowing what complications are going to arise that require medical attention and to waste precious minutes getting to a medical facility is minutes wasted that could be treating you or your baby.

I'm not comfortable doing it at home, personally, but I wouldn't call those who do choose to do it irresponsible. Where I live, there are strict conditions that midwives require you to meet before allowing a home birth, including a maximum time/distance from the nearest hospital with L&D facilities. Realistically, if you have a low risk, complication-free pregnancy, there is no reason why a home birth can't be totally successful.

lrmrtn said:

I finally watched the HIMYM finale and was not disappointed with it as it seems everyone else was. Were people upset because it wasn't all happily ever after?

Nope.
**spoilers ahead**

It was because it felt like we wasted nine seasons on Ted finally getting over Robin and establishing that no, they were not actually meant to be. Then the entire last season was spent on convincing us how Robin and Barney were totally meant to be and preparing for their wedding. In the finale, we get to see maybe 10 minutes of their wedding and then find out they got divorced within a few minutes of that. So what was the point? Not to mention all the build up to meeting the mother, establishing the perfect relationship, only to find out she's been dead 6 years and Ted is still freaking pining for Robin? Ridiculous. I would have been ok with the mother not being around anymore but Ted going back to Robin at the end is what really killed it for me.

pistolpackinmomma

Also, on the topic of homeschooling depriving kids of social interaction, I guess the same could be said of me being a SAHM instead of putting my kid in daycare. I think with the few play dates we have had he has done great for his age. He likes to greet other kids with a hug and loves to wave at people at the store while we are out. There are ways to socialize kids other than at school. Besides that, anymore it seems as if they are doing everything they can to take the social aspect out of school and make it all about learning. Unless you are going to force your kids to play sports (which a homeschooled kid can play sports too) you can't argue sitting quietly listening to a teacher talk at you for however many hours a day is socializing.

laurblum

RachelCA29 said:

My UO: I don't get people that take their 1 year-old children to Disney world. That is an expensive trip, and I get your excited to share that experience with your kids (I sure am), but at age 1? They won't remember anything, can't do most of the attractions and will probably sleep through most of it. It seems silly to spend all that money on the trip to Florida, park passes, food, hotel, etc. for a trip that the kid won't even remember/sleep through anyway.

I really want to take my kid to Disney world (I never went as a kid), but when he is like 5 or 6, so that he/we get A LOT out of the experience. And also, so that I'm not pushing a stroller or baby carrying all day.

We go to Disney every year in the winter. LO is coming this year at 7months old. I know she won't remember but I won't be ready to leave her, the weather will be very comfortable to be outside during the day, they are super family conscious and I have no concerns about finding places to nurse or change her. We have enough people coming that child swap won't be a problem either. I guess everyone is different, but it really doesn't strike me as a hardship. It doesn't cost anything extra to bring her because you don't start paying for kids until they are over 2. But to each their own. I completely understand why others wouldn't want to tote a baby around, but for us it's part of our lifestyle.

That wasn't my UO. I'll be back with one later.

spacepotatoes

meli1025 said:

OK I'm participating today, but leaving for a work lunch soon so it may be a P&R until later. 

I'm all for however anyone wants to give birth, FTR. 

My UO, which I know will be a UO in these parts, is that I really like Dr. Oz.  I was on his show once as a guest (it was kind of dumb, but funny) and he is a REALLY nice person. Some of what we were taping was really sad and was about ovarian cancer...I was crying that's how emotional it got...and then a girl in the audience stood up to ask a question pertaining to her own struggles with PCOS.  She got very emotional and when we went to commercial Dr. Oz went up to her seat to talk to her and hug her, and spent the entire break listening to her and offering advice.  He totally didn't have to do that and he was so compassionate.  I know everyone says they don't see him as a "real doctor", but he actually is a very successful and well respected heart surgeon.  And again, he's super nice.  Not at all phony in person.  I've come across a lot of celebrities living in the NYC area and I can tell you that a lot of them really suck and it's disappointing when you think of them as someone completely different based on how you see them on TV and in the public eye.  Dr. Oz is actually geniune. 

OK I'm done.  Off to my Mexican work lunch.  Have at it.

The bolded is exactly my problem with him. He IS an actual doctor so to me, given his platform, he has a responsibility to people to present good quality information, in the appropriate context, and help people put it into proper perspective so that they can make informed decisions. But that is not what he does. I don't want to hear bullshit from a legit doctor about green coffee bean extract or detox diets. I expect better than that.

RachelCA29

laurblum said:

My UO: I don't get people that take their 1 year-old children to Disney world. That is an expensive trip, and I get your excited to share that experience with your kids (I sure am), but at age 1? They won't remember anything, can't do most of the attractions and will probably sleep through most of it. It seems silly to spend all that money on the trip to Florida, park passes, food, hotel, etc. for a trip that the kid won't even remember/sleep through anyway.

I really want to take my kid to Disney world (I never went as a kid), but when he is like 5 or 6, so that he/we get A LOT out of the experience. And also, so that I'm not pushing a stroller or baby carrying all day.

We go to Disney every year in the winter. LO is coming this year at 7months old. I know she won't remember but I won't be ready to leave her, the weather will be very comfortable to be outside during the day, they are super family conscious and I have no concerns about finding places to nurse or change her. We have enough people coming that child swap won't be a problem either. I guess everyone is different, but it really doesn't strike me as a hardship. It doesn't cost anything extra to bring her because you don't start paying for kids until they are over 2. But to each their own. I completely understand why others wouldn't want to tote a baby around, but for us it's part of our lifestyle. That wasn't my UO. I'll be back with one later.

I guess it depends on what type of vacation it would be/where you are from. I'm in Canada, so a trip to Disney World would be a $4,000 minimum vacation for 3 of us with flights, hotel, cash at the exchange rate, etc. Even if LO was free to the park and flight, I could personally not justify taking that trip, for that money, on a "family" vacation that he wouldn't be awake for most of.

If I was going to go on vacation when he was that young, and spend that type of money, I would want to go back to Europe. It would be the same amount of work with a baby no matter where you went, and I wouldn't really worry about what the baby was enjoying/experiencing, and I could enjoy/experience another country (I would probably go back to Ireland, we went last Spring and LOVED it).

ErikaLynn75

One last thought about Dr. Oz:

I was on a weight loss kick before my wedding, and plateaued with like 5 pounds left to lose. It wasn't a big deal, I was at a healthy weight and my dress was gonna fit either way, I just really wanted to reach my "goal number." So I went to some vitamin store and bought two bottles of diet pills, knowing that this is really not the healthy way to do things. It's very unlike me to take pills for anything if it's not necessary. I actually kept them in my purse so DH wouldn't see them, and never told anyone about it. Not my proudest moment. 

I was SHOCKED when I brought them up to the counter and the clerk said "Oh, you must have seen Dr. Oz last week. These are the two things he recommended." I had not, in fact, seen it on his show, but that was the moment that I lost all respect for him. 

ErikaLynn75

My UO:

Kind of going off the Disney thing. I don't understand people who vacation in the same spot every year. To me, the best part about travelling is getting to see and experience NEW things. No matter how much fun I had on last year's vacation, I wouldn't want to go back and do the same thing this year. We honeymooned at a Sandal's resort in Jamaica, and while we were there they had some crazy discount for anyone who booked their return visit. It was a great vacation, but I have no intention of ever going back, when I could spend that money and time on a trip to somewhere new. I went to Disney when I was about 12. I still remember it. I have no desire to go back until our kid is old enough to enjoy it. Especially when we only have the ability (vacation time, finances) to take one vacation a year. 

I guess the exception to this would be if the purpose of your vacation is to meet up and spend time with family. 

Jennyinheaven

kitchencolors said:

I'd rather go camping than to Disney World/Land or Europe with a baby. 

We go camping the same places every summer and I love it. 

Camping FTW!

I also love camping and we have a few places we love to go every year. We go to some of the same places every year because we can calculate the cost and know we will enjoy them. I am all for seeing as much as you can in this world, but sometimes a long weekend in Mexico is a lot more affordable then a trip to Europe.
Homebirths and water births, completely not for me, but if that's the experience you want, and you do the proper leg work who am I to judge how you do your birthing. My UO, I think it's weird to not let your DH ladiescape your parts, or other private type things, DH is the one person I feel completely comfortable being naked in front of and seeing everything.