Labor Day Contemplation

Let's talk about parenting, umbilical cords, and tattoos—because why not?
Here’s a Labor Day weekend edition of random musings

First off, congrats to all the parents who survived the summer. I will never underestimate you again.

🍦 Meltdowns in Public: A Service to Humanity
“Every time your child melts down in public, you’re doing another parent a favor.” My friend Sarah dropped this wisdom on me, and it’s been a game-changer. Next time your little one channels their inner demon in the store/street/restaurant, remember: you're not alone. You're giving another parent that sweet moment of relief—“Hey, my kid’s not the worst,” or “Maybe my day isn’t as bad as I thought…”

💎 Jewelry Made from Umbilical Cords? Yep, That’s a Thing
So, there's a company out there making jewelry for new parents, and their stuff is so popular it's on backorder. The pièce de résistance? A custom-made ring that looks like an 80s mood ring but with a twist: it’s white (thanks to mom’s breast milk) with flecks of gold (the child’s umbilical cord). My husband and I were...let’s say, a little horrified. But our friends? They thought it was the sweetest, most sentimental thing ever.

🏥 Umbilical Cord Blood: To Bank or Not to Bank?
Speaking of umbilical cords, I spent years stressing out because I didn’t preserve my kids’ cord blood. The cost? Prohibitively expensive. The pitch? It could save their life someday. The reality? Most doctors say it’s unnecessary. Turns out, the blood can easily be contaminated, isn’t useful for genetic conditions in the child, and might only help a sibling with a condition treatable by a stem cell transplant.

🖋 Tattoos in Your 40s: Too Late or Just in Time?
Friends of ours are just starting to get tattoos—in their 40s. My first thought? “Isn’t it too late? Won’t those tattoos start sagging soon?” My friend, Dev, argues: Old bodies aren’t what they used to be. But, did people really age faster back in the day, or are we just better at maintaining our youthful glow now? Actually, it’s a mix of less smoking, more sunscreen, better diets, and a culture obsessed with youth. Oh, and let’s not forget the magic of cosmetic procedures. I'm not sure how those drawings will look in 10 years, but I'm at least tempted by the hope.