The Baby Borrowers

So, I was tired last night, and not really in the mood to play video games after it took 2 hours to mow my lawn in 90+ degree heat.

So I turned on the TV and there really wasn't much on. Except, I remember an advertisement for The Baby Borrowers.

I remember reading about this show about 2 months ago, and had thought to myself at the time... "What are they thinking?"

The concept was to take 4-5 Teenage couples, none of which were married, and give them each a baby for a couple of days to see how they did.

I thought it would be a train wreck in the making. Of course, I thought Kid Nation on CBS would be the same way, but that turned out somewhat decent.

So, I turned the show on, and before it even began, they explained the ground rules... the couples would be given babies for three days. Then, they would be given toddlers for three days. Then, teenagers for three days, and finally, they would have to take care of senior citizens for three days.

The parents of the babies and the toddlers (and probably the teenagers (and the children of the senior citizens)) would be able to monitor the couples 24/7 if they desired, and the parents were allowed to step in at anytime they wanted. Also, every couple would be shadowed by a professional nanny.

The nanny was not there to provide any tips or help, she was just there for the sole purpose of ensuring the safety of the baby. If the couples put the baby in any situation that the nanny construed as dangerous, she would immediately intervene.

After hearing all this, I actually felt that the show would be pretty interesting.

Oh boy, was it ever.

The couples each moved into a Condo of their own, (all in the same neighborhood) and (2) days before they were even to receive thier babies, the show had them running around non-stop.

The women were given "baby-vests" which would simulate being appx. 8-9 months pregnant. The vest simulated te weight, bulk, and even movement of a baby. The women were miserable, and in turn, the men were miserable. One girl/woman eventually took her vest off and refused to wear it.

The couples also were required to go to child birth classes. Well, except the one who took her vest off. She also refused to go to the class. But her boyfried went. I thought that was a pretty mature move on his part, and very immature of the girl, as she was just 100% drama.

When he returned from the class, they made up, and in support of her, he put the vest on for the remainder of the time until the babies arrived.

Next, the couples were given everything that would / should go into a baby's room. Except, none of it was assembled. They had to have it all assembled before the babies arrived, in less then 12 hours.

The couples were also given grocery lists of things that were needed for the babies. The men all chose to go and do the shopping, while the women stayed at home and "rested" while wearing their vests.

As soon as the men returned, arguments began, and I noticed a theme to all of the arguments. "You weren't doing anything." Both the men and women made this statement to their partner. But, the men had been shopping, and the women, while resting, still had that cumbersome vest that they were wearing (with the exception of the drama queen). It's a classic argument and is short-sighted by both parties.

Finally, the babies arrived.

What a cute bunch! Yeah, I'm a sucker for babies. Never used to be, but I guess sometimes it takes the responsibility of having a baby to realize how cute they are.

With each baby, the parents gave each couple a detailed break down of their child's routine, likes, dislikes, etc... all contained in a binder for easy referencing.

Teenagers. They think they know it all. I know I did. Reality is such a bitch!

So, the babies arrived in the morning, and the couple's day began...

Throughout the day, the couples all experienced the harsh reality of the responsibility of having / raising a baby. They all had their issues. And throughout the day, all the real parents monitored their children.

One couple couldn't get the child to eat because he was very fussy. To the point where the girl stated "Fine, just starve." Guess who was monitoring when this happened? Yup, Mom. Guess who decided to make a visit? Yup, mom. Mom tried to patient explain to the girl why the baby was fussy and not eating. Off his routine, very hungry, but messed up because his routine was off. The girl needed to be patient, and continue to try and feed the child.

Well, once mom left the house, someone cops a HUGE attitude. The girl no longer didn't want to have anything to do with the child because the mom had made a visit. Wow. Selfish?

Another couple couldn't get their baby to relax and stop fussing. They tried to do everything. The problem is, is that they were all over the place in trying this. So, Dad decides to visit. Dad was very cool and just talked to the couple about what his daughter needed. Just let her be on the floor and wiggle around and she'll eventually move and stop fussing... His daughter immediately stopped fussing when she was in daddy's arms. Anyways, the dad was really cool. Very patient with the couple and didn't talk down to them, but instead treated them like adults and spoke to them like adults. That may have been the problem with the mother previously mentioned, in how she spoke to the girl. I don't know.

The third couple was doing really well throughout the day. This couple was somewhat different. The girl thought she'd be a great mother and wanted children immediately. The boy didn't want children immediately and thought this experience would help show that to his girlfriend / fiancee.

Well, the baby girl they got bonded immediately to the boy. He was the only one who could get her to stop fussing and the girl could hardly ever hold her without her fussing. Their day started out well, but come evening, it went down-hill fast.

Their baby got to the point where she would not go to sleep. They could not for the life of them figure out why. Well, mom was monitoring, and she knew why.  The boy actually made the statement:  "Let's just put ITin the other room and ignore IT.  Uh-oh!  Guess who was watching and listening?

So, another mother decided to make a visit. What was wrong? Well, the couple hadn't given the baby her evening bath, she wasn't in her pajamas, and her diaper hadn't been changed just before bedtime. This mom was also very patient and talked to this couple like they were adults.  With the exception of the "IT" statement, which she called them on the carpte for.

Around this time, the hour was over. Whoa! Where had the time gone? I got thoroughly sucked into the show. I had to ask myself why? I think it was because I could related to these kids. Granted, my wife and I didn't have a child when we were teenagers, but I could relate to many of the trials they were facing as "first time" parents.

One of these days, I may tell you the story of how I almost got a faceful of baby shit our first night home from the hospital.

Anyways, the show is pretty good, and brings back memories of when my daughter (age 6) was that age.