By Kathleen Guthrie Woods
I can’t even remember what it was that I ordered, but at some point in the last couple of years I purchased a gift online for a niece or nephew, and BAM! Now I’m on everyone’s mailing list.
By everyone, I mean every company that makes stuff for kids—bedding, clothing, toys, gear—and as we rev up for holiday shopping, I’m getting catalogues from all of them. Cute kids in Santa-themed PJs, cute kids playing with cute dogs while cute parents look on with pride and joy, cute kids who are healthy and happy. Just shoot me now! The promotional flyer that really put me over the edge was for organizational systems especially for parents. I’m not even sure what it’s supposed to do (I couldn’t quite bring myself to look at the Web site), but maybe I don’t understand it because I’m not a parent. Whatever!
You know, I also buy my fair share of chocolate. You’d think I’d be inundated by catalogues brimming with sweet things for me, but noooooo.
Say it with me: The Holiday Season Sucks!
Kathleen Guthrie Woods is a Northern California–based freelance writer. She is mostly at peace with her childfree status.
AMEN! I recently had a miscarriage, and since I had signed up for various pregnancy subscriptions/coupons I am still getting random “baby mail” that I am desperately trying to decline and unsubscribe from. I’m so sick of commercialized/marketing in general these days. It gets so bad this time of year, and all of the targeting to parents is especially annoying. So we are on a holiday STRIKE this year… less decorations, no gift-giving unless it’s something homemade, and instead of a big family gift exchange like we normally do, I convinced my parents that we all do a service project together instead. I figure if I keep it as simple as possible and try to focus on the real reason for the season, then the other stuff will be slightly less painful. I guess we’ll see. HaPpY THANKSGiViNG to you and all of the other child-free butterflies out there (love the new logo)!
There was a time when these advertisements hurt me a lot but I’m glad to say it is much less so now and gets better as time goes by. I go through the mail over the garbage can and dump the kid stuff immediately into it as I sort. It’s a good technique to manage stress so I thought I would share. Wishing everyone else a happy thanksgiving too.
whenever I surf the internet ads tend to pop up going “monitor your cycle NOW!” “Freeze your eggs at our company” etc. Thanks to coming here and similar places. meehh..
This would drive me crazy.
We clearly have the same person delivering mail. Fortunately Mr. T usually has it sorted before I see it.
Last year I did not decorate and could barely exchange gifts on Christmas day with my husband and I LOVE this holiday and have literally boxes of decorations. What is it about CNBC that sucks the joy out of me during holidays? I so want to share the wonderful holidays and teach my (hopefully future one or two) children about the real meaning of Christmas. Pray for baby….
I wish you the best in your attempts to conceive. However, this website is a support group for women who have done everything they can personally do to conceive, have been unsuccessful, have nothing left in them to continue to try and are coming to terms with moving on and learning to cope with a life without children. If you are looking for support while you continue to try to conceive, this is probably not the website for you.