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We have the technology

I was going to try and catch up with everything I have missed, but as I am sure is often the case with new parents, things have run away from me. So rather than write nothing at all, I will begin now and hopefully fill in the gaps as we go.

So it will be no surprise to learn that our baby has been born, in fact it was two months ago now and although they have been a hard adjustment in lots of ways, it also seems like its the way it's supposed to be, like it's always been. I hope this means we are doing something right.

I keep meeting new dads or dads to be and one of the things we all seem to be able to get our teeth into is tech, baby tech to be precise. This is something we relate to, something we can be offer true advice on and research every detail of what is good and what isn't. It makes us feel useful in amongst the breast feeding lessons and how to cope with labour pain advice that as a couple we are inundated with. This is solid, familiar ground, sure the gadgets are different, but this is what we do, we love gadgets and technology and we don't understand what it's like to have our nipples chewed and gummed, or how to cope with having to wear ill-fitting nursing bras that might block our milk ducts. Well most of us don't anyway.

Pushchairs. I started with pushchairs and holy crap I never knew what a minefield it would be, nor how stupidly expensive they are. Lightweight so as not to tire you out sir, heavy so they don't tip over, no sit you want you little one to be safe. This one is excellent it even has a pneumatic, automatic, swift one button closing and opening mechanism. Oh but it's no good from birth sir, your baby will need to lie flat, here is another attachment that you can lay them in until they are older. Shopping baskets, cup holders, bag clips, foot muffs, compatible car seats, rain covers. Are you planning on having more children? Then you need to think about dual seat functions, ride along steps, overhead baby carriers. A modular system you say? Why yes this one is called The Mule sir, this can have side panniers that can move out to create space for a second seat when you require it. The possibilities are endless an exhausting. The costs are dramatic ranging from £250 to £1,500+ it's mind boggling.

So yes, we have the technology, but my gosh it's a confusing world. And you know what? They've got you right in the palm of their grubby salesman hands. You know you don't need most of this crap, but the minute you think you might be depriving your child of something, they've got you. You reach in and pull out that little plastic square from your wallet. You don't want to be a crappy neglectful dad after all.

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