You know what is a really bad idea?
Watching maudlin movies in the wee hours of the morning.
I’m up these days between 2 and 4 a.m., and it seems to me that cable television conspires to torture the mothers of very small babies during these early hours.
Saturday I was sucked into a viewing of “Steel Magnolias,” and this morning I watched a similarly bad flick called “No Reservations.”
We all know that in “Steel Magnolias,” Shelby dies, as her small son screams and points when his daddy comes home to find his young, diabetic wife sprawled on the back porch, in a coma. Her mother holds vigil over her comatose figure in a hospital bed before burying her in a spectacular display of Southern emoting.
In the second film, starring Abigail Breslin and Catherine Zeta-Jones, a nine-year-old girl is somehow orphaned (I missed the beginning) and sent to live with her anal chef aunt in New York City.
The girl mourns her mother in the most terrible way. The young actress has big eyes and a round chin, and her face called to mind my Poo, sleeping in the next room as I held her brother and wept.
I couldn’t help but imagine what would happen to my girl if something were to happen to me. She and I are so close.
I cried through the entire movie.
These hormones are still sloshing around, making me extra vulnerable. It doesn’t help that the fourth anniversary of my own father’s death is tomorrow. Four years ago today I decided not to have dinner with my dad because I was pregnant and tired.
Hours later I watched him die.
I think from this point on, I’ll be avoiding the television when Shaggy wakes for his feedings.
***
I still have several wonderful guest authors queued up for your reading pleasure. I’ll shortly be taking a wee break, as I get myself together again. These baby blues are sucking the words right out of my brain.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:55 am
For less emotional middle-of-the-night viewing, I’d suggest infomercials instead. Although I still cry when I see the miraculous results of Proactive on P. Diddy’s acne… it’s just so touching.
I am so sorry about your sad anniversary.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Oh, hon.
After I had my first I read a book (can’t remember the name, but they made it into a Natalie Portman movie?) where the baby is kidnapped - even though it was returned alive and unharmed, I was unhinged for weeks.
Retreating inside is healthy, I don’t blame you one bit. Take care of yourself and your family and just know that if you need more, people are here.
xo
August 25th, 2008 at 8:19 am
For six months after I had the Bean all I would watch was sci-fi. It was the only genre I could stand. Which is interesting because I was never a sci fi fan before (unless you count Buffy).
I think I watched every episode of Stargate and some awful show about undercover cops chasing monsters, I can’t remember what it was called now but it was TERRIBLE. I didn’t care. It never made me cry.
Stay away from the drama!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:28 am
What about podcasts? I miss holding pages in my hand, but I’ve gotten some good audiobooks from the library and put them on the ipod for company when late night parenting.
Can you have people around to help you and just be present tomorrow? I hope you can relive happy memories of your life with your dad as well the trauma of the anniversary of his death. I’ll be thinking of you.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:29 am
After Chicken was born I had the hardest times with commercials. Specifically the A T and T commercials about people reaching out and calling home. Those damn commercials were on at every break. “Losing Isaiah” was another movie I watched and bawled for the entire thing. Hubby shook his head and turned off the t.v.
As someone who has lost their father unexpectedly I totally understand. HUGS!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’m so sorry about the anniversary of the loss of your father is coming up.
On a more positive note, how about books on tape? I found it hard to hold a book and feed a newborn at the same time, I wish I would have thought about audio books back then. Or maybe a foreign language lesson?
I think I commented here a few days ago about how terrible late night television is and how it leads to the ruin of all new mothers. Maybe it was another blog of a mom going thru the same thing.
Anyway… the only relief I got from the bad television is the wh*rehouse across the street from my house. If you want to come over and watch the hookers from my bedroom window you are more than welcome. They do it with the blinds open sometimes.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I always read in the late night feedings. Much safer!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Car crash.
I will never watch Steel Magnolias again given our situation. Never. Don’t want to think about it.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I hope you start feeling better soon. I’m so sorry about your dad.
For nightly TV watching that is cry safe, I recommend the food network. Might make you hungry, but it’s entertaining and a cry safe zone. Hugs to you and those kiddos.
August 25th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Have you got Tivo/DVR? I record re-runs of Friends and Sex and the City and watch them while I am up. Total brain candy. It’s MUCH better than Lifetime weepy crap. (Also Conan OBrien reruns play here at 4:30 AM. Look for him. Hilarious)
August 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Stay far, far, FAR away from the one with Hillary Swank and the dead husband. Oh. My. Gawd! Finley’s head was soaked, soaked, the day I stayed home and innocently purchased it on demand thinking I’d save Sean from a chick flick!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I’m with Beej on this one…SciFi all the way. After the Little Imp’s arrival two short years ago, I got sucked into the Hallmark Channel during those late night/early morning nursing sessions…to this day, I still dont watch HC. Even Little House on the Prairie back then would make the tears flow.
Sending lots of hugs your way!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I can only get to a certain point in Steel Magnolias nowadays.
I had to put down “My Sister’s Keeper” for a few weeks after a particularly traumatizing ’sneak in a few pages while she naps’ episode.
If I don’t like to scare myself with horror movies, why would I want to upset myself with stories of child/parent loss?
And for some reason, I am missing my father more than usual this week.
I’m sorry that such a happy event had to coincide with such a sad one.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I’ve done the same, up with babies. Hormones + Weepy stuff = no bueno.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I think you need to be watching “The Anchoman” on repeat. It is the best thing for these emotional times in our lives.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:52 am
why is that once you have children you really can’t watch movies without getting all freaked out??
one more thing to add to the list of what my friends forgot to tell me about becoming a mommy.
hugs to you friend.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
“I think we should pray.”
“Oh, I’d rather eat dirt!”
Ah, Steel Magnolias.
Maybe you should make a trip to the video store (or get yourself set up on Netflicks or something) to have good, fun, funny, heartwarming films all set to go in the wee hours?
August 25th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
takes me back to the nights after my daughter was born–found that reruns of Friends and Frazer along with really silly movies like Zoolander and The Wedding Singer helped as anything more thoughtful would make me cry. Hang in there, this will pass!
August 25th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I’m not hormonal at all and I would have bawled
August 25th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I usually stick to nick at nite or tv land for late night watching.
Or shows or movies on ON-demand.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Awww, you need Tivo my friend. I’m so sorry about the sad anniversary coming up. And that sweet boy of yours is absolutely divine.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
You just gave me an odd vivid memory of watching “Indecent Proposal” two nights in a row at 3am while nursing.
Steel Magnolias would have been more enjoyable.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Even when not post-partum, I can’t watch Steel Magnolias without turning into a blubbering mess. I agree — steer clear!
I’m so sorry the anniversary of your dad’s death falls during this time. Take your break and take care of yourself.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Do yourself a favour: Either go out and buy a bunch of your favourite movies on DVD, or take out a membership at your nearest rental place. You don’t need to be watching shit that makes you upset. I’d sue the TV station.
*HUGS*
August 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
“No Reservations” is a remake of an excellent German film, “Mostly Martha”, which is actually worth watching. It’s one of my favorite movies ever, in fact. Ignore the badness of “No Reservations” and give “Mostly Martha” a chance.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Its not the hormones, trust me. Mine are 3 and 4 and just the thought of what they would do without me brings tears to my eyes.
Thanks for the tip about the movie, though. I’ll avoid it until I’m in a crying mood
August 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
There’s a solution! Get Netflix! Saves my live with an infant in the house.
PS. Shaggy is a DOLL.