Being a mum is hard work, and I don't know when I'll sleep for more than a few hours at a time again. But Dylan is my little wonder boy. And now I'm starting to get out and about a bit more. Like to the supermarket.
You can spot the new parents in any supermarket. They are the sleepy ones.
They shuffle zombie-like between the aisles, yawning and wearing pyjamas under their clothes. Particularly check out the footwear. Anything like a slipper is a dead giveaway.
Their faces exhibit a touching wonder at being allowed out to do something other than baby-related activity. My first trip to Tesco after Daisy was born was the best definition of freedom I've ever experienced - ah the joy of taken-for-granted-normality.
I'm sure Nelson Mandela may have felt the same on his way back from Robben Island as he stopped off in his nearest Sainsbury-equivalent for a packet of custard creams.
New parents also have trouble working out what to buy. You might see a new mum or dad standing motionless in the aisles, trying to remember the ingredients of cheese on toast...
In the end through sheer exhaustion and confusion they generally opt for a random and only partly useful selection of products (eg pizza, apples, hairnets and superglue).
To the stress-free mum or dad, supermarket shopping is a dilemma. Who wants to spend time shopping when you could be doing something useful like sleeping or having a bath!
But don't underestimate the importance of little novelty expeditions like this. If you haven't left the house for three days, then a little trip to Tesco could help make you feel human again. Why?
Going somewhere new gives you new things to see and do. The brain responds well to a change of scene like this. As does your baby - he will often stop crying if you take him to a different room and give him something new to look at. Shopping also means you get to use your brain in new analytical ways. And if you visit a large supermarket you can alsy stop off in the cafe for a nice cup of tea and a read of a newspaper.
Of course if you hate shopping in all its forms, don't bother. Order groceries online, ask a relative to do your shopping, or ask visitors to pick up essentials on the way (we always need bread, bannanas and milk if you're popping over). But find another way to inject a bit of normality in your life - get your hair cut, go for a walk.
The main thing is to find a way to get away from it all for an hour just so you keep a corner of your life that is just for you.
This is so true! You do need to get out and it does feel liberating. We'd been home five days when we ventured to Tesco and we packed enough food and nappies to supply tesco if THEY ran out! Harry didn't even wake up- even so we came home with useless things like windowlene (as if- I'd just had a c-section)!
Posted by: Rebecca | 11 September 2009 at 09:31 PM