Solving a Rubik’s Cube is hard. Carrying a human being inside of you for 9-months and then subsequently giving birth — that’s straight-up heroic. So why shouldn’t we acknowledge it with a gift ?
It goes without saying that mothers are forced to endure more than any other beings on this planet. This is why we need to stop judging those mothers who receive ” push presents ” for all their hard work.
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It’s the understatement of the century to say that giving birth is no picnic.
You don’t have to be a mother yourself in order to understand that bringing a human life into this world is nothing short of miraculous — and it’s far from easy.
Conception is fun, pregnancy is grueling, and giving birth is a battlefield.
Regardless of whether you have an “easy” vaginal birth (do those exist?) or a planned or impromptu C-section, the physical strain that is put on a woman’s body can be tremendous.
Even after giving birth, most women are sidelined for weeks to allow their bodies the time needed to recover.
On average, it takes most women anywhere from 6-8 weeks before they start to finally feel like themselves again. But for some, it can take weeks and even months longer.
In an effort to acknowledge all that the mother has been through, some people have begun buying a “push present” for their partner.
A ” push present ” is exactly what it sounds like: a gift that a mother receives as a reward for all that she’s gone through over the last 9 months.
The best part about a push present is that they can literally be anything at all.
For some, this could take the form of a heart-shaped necklace with a photo of the newborn contained inside. Or if you’re lucky, perhaps a big fat diamond would suit you better?
Some people will try and tell you that “push presents” aren’t necessary.
They’ll scoff and say utterly self-righteous things, like “the baby is the reward.” Ugh. Please allow me to find you a soapbox on which to stand. For one thing, absolutely no one is arguing that having a baby isn’t rewarding in and of itself — that’s literally the whole point!
However, it’s also important that the mother feel seen and valued — beyond being just a baby maker.
A “push present” is a great way to acknowledge what you, as a couple, have just been through together. It’s a way of telling someone that you see them completely, not simply as a vessel.
At this point, I can sense that some of you are about to double-down.
You’re probably going to hit me with the whole, “But that’s what a woman’s body was meant for!” You couldn’t be more right and more wrong at the same time.
Not all women have the same experiences during pregnancy. For some, things come much easier than others.
Not all women can have a vaginal birth. Not all women can breastfeed, and not all women have complication-free pregnancies. To say that pregnancy and giving birth is “natural” undermines everything that a woman goes through.
Keep in mind, not all “push presents” have to be extravagant, either.
The best gifts are those that contain the highest amount of sentimental value. All that matters is that you and your partner have something tangible (other than your child) that will allow you to look back and remember what you experienced together.
Most importantly, if you happen to disagree — just keep your opinions to yourself.
Moms are constantly judged, we don’t need to add to their stress. If you want to get your partner a “push present,” then you should. If not, that’s OK too — so long as we don’t have to hear your reasoning as to why.
