141–150 of 171 posts
I think even considering using a box instead of a crib in the states may get you a visit from child protective services, or at least looks of disgust from your family or in-laws. Does anyone have experience trying this out?
Probably besides the point, but you have an extremely skewed idea of what prompts a visit from Child Protective Services in the United States.
Being a father of two and seeing how much money and decisions goes into buying baby stuff and thinking how struggling family might find it inaccessible it makes me cry to read “give all children in Finland, no matter what background they're from, an equal start in life.” Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions, in this case giving the set of necessary car…
> Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions Why is it that when discussing welfare benefits the topic of them being spent on addictions is often brought up. If an addiction is a problem, treat the addiction instead of treating welfare recipients as children. How pissed would you be if your employer dictated how you spent your wages because certain activitie…
This often does not translate well to actual country-scale structural problems. Especially if in some of those countries' individuals also happen to consider paying taxes as a way in to government-scale decision making.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions Why is it that when discussing welfare benefits the topic of them being spent on addictions is often brought up. If an addiction is a problem, treat the addiction instead of treating welfare recipients as children. How pissed would you be if your employer dictated how you spent your wages because certain activitie…
It’s a belief that one is “more moral” than the “addict” so more deserving of government help.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Oh I meant suggesting it in the United States. I feel like it would not go over well, unless of course you or your SO are from Finland!
If you called it a disposable crib rather than a cardboard box I bet nobody would object.
Perhaps, the US version would need some nubs, or formed legs or other thing to come with the box...
Frankly, when my spouse and I first heard about this, we thought the idea was fantastic.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Apparently in America it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to give birth in a hospital. Also, 'skin-on-skin' contact after giving birth is a chargeable extra. We don't know how fortunate we are here in the UK with the NHS.
> Also, 'skin-on-skin' contact after giving birth is a chargeable extra. Just had a kid in the US, not true. I’m curious to see where you learned this from, it seems hyperbolic. Also, it cost me $2k after all was said and done.
I can't remember how much it was, but I do remember being upset at the cost...
Also, in terms of out of pocket expenses, I think it really depends on your insurance, hospital, and even the state you live in (here in the U.S.).
My baby is due in 4 weeks. My wife and I shopped for weeks trying to buy a 2nd hand crib that was affordable (We ended up getting one for free from a neighbor on nextdoor). Never did it cross my mind that I could just use a cardboard box! I will definitely make a cardboard box for my upcoming baby, use it as much as I can, and see if I could get by without a crib! Perfect DIY project for a stay home dad, cribs always…
As a non parent surrounded by friends having kids I often wonder how much money and faff is wasted on things kids won’t even remember.
We were warned by some pros to make sure to monitor the temperature closely - don't leave it on the floor where it might be too cold, and allow air to circulate to avoid it getting too hot etc. We bought a cheap Ikea side-table that was approx the same size and built a basic barrier around the edge by screwing in some shelf supports to the side-table (as well as some up-stands on the table surface to allow air to circulate) so that it was basically like any other bassinet thing you can buy. Price-wise we probably mad a loss compared to just buying something prebuilt, but I think my wife quite liked me "building a bed for baby".
The box is now used as a toy box! We'll certainly get another one for the next baby.
On the same subject, I only recently came to know that "Kraamzorg" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraamzorg ) is not or hardly offered in other countries. When you become parents (whether that is for the first or the nth time), a specialized nurse will visit your home for 24-80 hours spread over multiple days to help with anything required. If it's your first, she/he will mainly focus on teaching (how to bathe a bab…
It is very much a standard post natal package in Switzerland, and in France too IIRC. We had tons of visits for the first one, quite helpful, spread over longer period. Only 1-2 for second one, but it could be more if needed. The only difference is that they don't do cleaning, at least ours didn't. They are called "sage-femme" in french (wise woman in literal translation). Most od advices were nothing new to my wife…
Keep in mind that these kinds of systems are not necessarily compatible with some cultures/usages. My gf has a friend who is leaving in the Netherlands and was getting crazy about having that krammzorgster around in the house all day long while her mother was already here for a few months. It looked like it isn't even optionnal and they couldn't just tell her to go elsewhere. They are mexicans.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Apparently in America it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to give birth in a hospital. Also, 'skin-on-skin' contact after giving birth is a chargeable extra. We don't know how fortunate we are here in the UK with the NHS.
> Also, 'skin-on-skin' contact after giving birth is a chargeable extra. Just had a kid in the US, not true. I’m curious to see where you learned this from, it seems hyperbolic. Also, it cost me $2k after all was said and done.
Forgot to mention, the c-section had an anaesthetician and gynocoligst in the operating room.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> People in this country were up in arms when this was first suggested ... bristling with the absolute indignity at the thought of money being spent to help others. Really? At General Elections Scotland tends to vote dramatically in favour of parties that do redistribution, far more than the rest of the UK
The people who were up in arms about it lose heavily in the elections however given that they are generally unionists they are given extremely generous coverage by our media who are are almost entirely pro union. I also got one of these in Scotland and found it very reassuring and helpful, you could see almost all the other children around were using the same clothes / toys etc.