Chelsea Kaplan’s Musings About Life... After Birth

Careful what you all wish for…..if I remember correctly several of you Momtourage members are expecting again and that adorable patent leather purse/diaper bag will soon be obsolete!

I know they’re not as fashionable, but the Land’s End canvas diaper bags are great! But the Lil Tripper is kind of small.

The average gross rent in the US is $650.  http://www.dataplace.org/area_overview/<BR><BR>The average cost of the purses you’re looking at is in the neighborhood of $500.<BR><BR>Something to think about as you pass your values on to your children.

I like the original one you have. Embrace the diaper bag!

Yeah, those are sort of expensive, but they will last a long time. If you think about it, you will use the purse every day. A few pairs of cool jeans will run you $500.

Have you ever seen the Paulina Quintana bags? They are cool.<BR><BR>http://www.carlapie.com/Paulina-Quintana-Diaper-Bag_p_12-173.html

I need to ditch my ratty old SkipHop. Let me know which one wins!

Sure - you may use a sturdy $500 bag a lot, but my point was this: do we as mom’s really need this?  And, do we want to maintain an idea that it’s fashionable to have a single use accesory (A diaper bag, jeans, whatever) that costs about the same as many people (including other mothers) spend each month on housing.<BR><BR>My son watches me like a hawk, and imitates everything I do.  Since I want to raise a good kid, it makes it really hard to swear around him, but also makes me consider how “good” all the examples I set for him are, including the examples I set for him as a consumer.

Why are you are attacking “anonymous” for not disclosing her name? It is evident that she put a lot of thought and consideration into her posting.

Chelsea, I know how you love Target!  I have a large, red (love red this fall) $20 purse from Target that carries everything! It’s not leather but looks like it. My stuff and my 3 yr old’s snacks, toys, extra panties and anything else I have to have.  I figure if it gets totally soaked by a juice cup, I’ll throw it away.  So far, it’s made it just fine.

Just to say… I (who, despite being a female, quite readily have the gonads to include my name) agree with ‘anonymous’. The amount that you ladies are about to spend on a purse, would cover not only my rent but my utilities, electricity, and telephone bills as well. <BR>  I don’t condemn you for wanting to be fashionable - but is the real message that you want to send your children and everyone else’s children, the message that looking hip and having expensive things is what’s really important? The message that we all live in our own little worlds, instead of one world for all? <BR>  I’m sorry to seem judging, I’m really not - but it’s just frustating that here I am, working hard, a full-time student, trying to get through college and still pay the bills, I don’t even dare to get a haircut lest it take away from my electric bill money… and a sum that would see me through several months of these bills, is the same sum that you and friends are about to hand over just for some ‘cool’ purses to keep sippy cups in for a little while. Is that the value that you want to showcase: heedless consumerism?<BR>  Don’t get me wrong, though - I like your blog. I just wanted to state my opinion - after all, it’s one of the few that I can actually afford to own.

You know Chelsea - I know this is just a fun little blog, so I’m sorry if my comments were harsh.  <BR><BR>I recently heard an interview (I believe I was listening to Marketplace on NPR) with Jarred Diamond (SP?) the author of Guns, Germs and Steel.  He estimated that if we continue the current rates of consumption, we will begin to see serious instability (failing states, famine, civil violence over resources) in First World countries in 50 or 60 years.  That’s within our children’s lifetimes.<BR><BR>As an example of the kind of instability he’s talking about, he cited the Rwandan genocide, which he framed as an ethnic conflict over dwindling resources.<BR><BR>Again, he’s talking about this happening in my child’s lifetime.<BR><BR>And here’s the kicker - global consumption rates are speeding up, not slowing down.<BR><BR>This is what was on my mind when I was reading your purse discusion.  And honestly I can’t get it out of my mind.<BR><BR>I’m 38 years old.  <BR>I pay $975 a month in rent.<BR>No longer anonymous.

Wow, I was wondering who was responsible for worldwide famine, and now I know: The Momtourage!<BR><BR>Love your blog!

MY GOD! Lighten up, “Jamie”! Chelsea, what you and your friends do with your money is your business - and not someone else’s to judge (like she knows you all anyway!).

Chill out people, if you happen to be wealthy (or not) and want to spend $500 on one bag, more power to you.  I’m 21, go to college and work full-time, so I don’t have as many living expenses as most of you might, but I have been known to drop A LOT of money on purses and such.  It definitely isn’t the most prudent action, and is unnecessary, but enjoyable, and I figure I can enjoy my money now while I still can.  This doesn’t make me a superficial, materialistic or incapable snob.<BR><BR>It’s all relative; you can enjoy your money and buy what you like, but it’s like eating.  Everything in moderation.  You can buy Prada and raise your kids to be generous, kind and loving people, or you can buy Wal-Mart and teach your kids to be selfish brats.

I think it would be obsene if someone who could not easily afford a $500.00 bag purchase the $500.00 bag. If you can afford it and you are fiscally responsible then enjoy, just don’t judge others for what they have or do not have. If you are a $50.00 bag owner don’t be jealous of the $500.00 bag holder.  I’m hoping that your $500.00 bag owners befriend the $50.00 bag holder.  If you have to decide on pre-school for your child or the handbag please be happy with the $20.00 bag. (Love your blog, Chelsea)