Royalty Thread #8.....A Pregnant Pause

[mag]

I'd have been thrilled to have a nanny from day one. Who really wants to change diapers, do baby laundry, or watch a newborn 24/7? You want to sleep.

So I have been thinking about this, and exactly what else will they have to do? I mean they have a cook and a housekeeper and Meghan’s mom is there. What would there be for a nanny to do?

 

[Lorac]

So I have been thinking about this, and exactly what else will they have to do? I mean they have a cook and a housekeeper and Meghan’s mom is there. What would there be for a nanny to do?

There really isn't a call for a nanny in the first few months whilst Mom and Dad are bonding with baby especially as Meghan's Mom will be there for a while. But once both Meghan and Harry start doing engagements again then a nanny will be needed.

What I find funny is that the speculation as to whether the Meghan gets a nanny has been all over the shop. To begin with the anonymous sources stated Meghan had no intention of getting a nanny as she wanted to be a hands on Mom. Then came the reports that Meghan had talked to her friends and had decided to get nanny after a few months to assist her. Then came the - again unsupported - anonymous speculation that Meghan would be getting a nanny immediately but they would be American. All this was speculation from the press and those pesky anonymous sources that all implied how different Meghan would be in raising her child to the traditional British royal way. We have no damn idea how Meghan and Harry will raise their child but I would seriously recommend they take a good look at how William and Kate have managed to balance the requirements of being royal and bringing their kids up as normal as one can when they are 3rd, 4th and 5th in line to the throne.

Still time will tell. Personally I think if Meghan hasn't had the baby yet then she must be desperate for it to make its debut as she was huge a couple of months ago so must be massive now and I suspect as uncomfortable as heck. Hopefully we'll get some news soon.

 

[mag]

Harry cancels his trip

https://etcanada.com/news/448295/pr...e-prepares-to-give-birth-to-their-first-baby/

I figure etcanada is probably the most accurate source for news because of the Mulroney connection.

 

[Japanfan]

So I have been thinking about this, and exactly what else will they have to do? I mean they have a cook and a housekeeper and Meghan’s mom is there. What would there be for a nanny to do?

Change diapers? Wouldn't the mother of most infants prefer to have someone else do that, particularly poopy diapers, given a choice? (Note that I've not had children myself).

And maybe deal with the baby when it is fussing in the night? It wouldn't do for a royal to be looking puffy-eyed and bedraggled while attending a public function, due to a lack of sleep the night before.

 

[mag]

Change diapers? Wouldn't the mother of most infants prefer to have someone else do that, particularly poopy diapers, given a choice? (Note that I've not had children myself).

And maybe deal with the baby when it is fussing in the night? It wouldn't do for a royal to be looking puffy-eyed and bedraggled while attending a public function, due to a lack of sleep the night before.

Changing diapers is prime bonding time and with newborns and especially with breastfed ones, they are really not very stinky. On the breastfed bit, you have to get up to feed, so doing a quick diaper change is not really an issue especially if the baby’s bed is right beside yours. Also, I assume Meghan will be taking six or so months off before doing engagements.

The thing is, what makes motherhood so exhausting is not really the baby, but the rest of it. All the stuff that neither Meghan or Harry ever have to worry about. The cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, getting up and going to work, pumping in the washroom, worrying about money because you are in unpaid leave, etc etc. Babies for the most part are easy if that is all you have to do as long as you have some support, which Meghan obviously has a ton of.

If they want a nanny right away so they don’t have to get up in the night or whatever, they should go for it. They can afford it and it is certainly none of my business. I just don’t know what a “hands on mom” of an infant does if everything else in her life is looked after and she has a nanny. Now maybe Meghan is wanting to get back to work right away, in which case getting a nanny right away certainly makes sense. As @Lorac said, it is really all just speculation at this point. Hopefully Meghan has that baby soon. I am sure she is getting a bit fed up being pregnant!

 

[Japanfan]

Changing diapers is prime bonding time and with newborns and especially with breastfed ones, they are really not very stinky.

I figured that about the bonding, but even so, if a mother had a nanny and could get bonding time without the diapers, would she still prefer to change the diapers herself, especially in the middle of the night?

Just asking, I really don't know.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Change diapers? Wouldn't the mother of most infants prefer to have someone else do that, particularly poopy diapers, given a choice? (Note that I've not had children myself).

And maybe deal with the baby when it is fussing in the night? It wouldn't do for a royal to be looking puffy-eyed and bedraggled while attending a public function, due to a lack of sleep the night before.

You have hit the nail on the head

 

[made_in_canada]

So I have been thinking about this, and exactly what else will they have to do? I mean they have a cook and a housekeeper and Meghan’s mom is there. What would there be for a nanny to do?

Having a newborn is exhausting. Figuring out breastfeeding can be exhausting. Brand new motherhood is tremendously isolating and hard on many new moms’ mental health. You’re basically a zombie for a few months. Diapers are the least of it. Good for them if they’re anticipating some struggle and can get some help. And it’s not like they can hire just anyone. Any nanny they have will need security clearances and stuff like that so it totally makes sense to me to have someone available if needed.

Also, I hate, hate, hate, that discussions around stuff like this always centre around the mom. Dads can’t breastfeed but they are also super important in their babies’ lives, yet rarely does anyone ever judge how hands on a dad is.

 

[Daena]

King Rama X of Thailand was finally crowned today: first it was the ceremony of royal purification with holy water taken from 5 rivers and 4 ponds in Thailand, then he was anointed by eight high status people (including prime minister and chief brahmin), and after that he was given a golden crown (this is a relatively new ritual, as it was introduced in 19 century to copy western monarchs).
There will be two more days of coronation procedures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRZQsVF7gQc

I recommend you to google him, King Rama X is quite an... interesting figure. Some details of his life are simply jaw-dropping. he is like a person from older times - many George IV of Britain's vibes.
And as for his personal life - here are Henry VIII vibes, but non-lethal (don't know how to explain)

 

[Parsley Sage]

Harry cancels his trip

https://etcanada.com/news/448295/pr...e-prepares-to-give-birth-to-their-first-baby/

I figure etcanada is probably the most accurate source for news because of the Mulroney connection.

The Mulroney connection would be with CTV/ETalk Canada, not ET Canada/Global.

 

[theredpepper]

King Rama X of Thailand was finally crowned today: first it was the ceremony of royal purification with holy water taken from 5 rivers and 4 ponds in Thailand, then he was anointed by eight high status people (including prime minister and chief brahmin), and after that he was given a golden crown (this is a relatively new ritual, as it was introduced in 19 century to copy western monarchs).
There will be two more days of coronation procedures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRZQsVF7gQc

I recommend you to google him, King Rama X is quite an... interesting figure. Some details of his life are simply jaw-dropping. he is like a person from older times - many George IV of Britain's vibes.
And as for his personal life - here are Henry VIII vibes, but non-lethal (don't know how to explain)

I was in Bangkok last week. Interesting times, especially since there is a very strict law against saying anything negative about the royal family.

 

[Japanfan]

Having a newborn is exhausting. Figuring out breastfeeding can be exhausting. Brand new motherhood is tremendously isolating and hard on many new moms’ mental health. You’re basically a zombie for a few months. Diapers are the least of it.

Spoken in the moment by one who knows!

[Also, I hate, hate, hate, that discussions around stuff like this always centre around the mom. Dads can’t breastfeed but they are also super important in their babies’ lives, yet rarely does anyone ever judge how hands on a dad is.

This.
Yes.
This.
Yes.

 

[clairecloutier]

Entire post

Couldn’t agree more with this post. Having a newborn(s) can be very challenging .... I find it LOL that so many people seem to think you just do a quick feeding, change a quick diaper, and bam, you’re done for several hours! I wish my life had been like that when my twins were newborns. Suffice to say that nursing isn't always easy to establish and/or may need to be combined with bottlefeeding ... babies with delicate digestive systems or reflux may need special formulas and/or a careful burping process after each feeding ... and not all babies just placidly sleep or sit quietly between feedings! Some may have colic or significant fussing/crying periods (mine did). Many new moms dealing with such issues would be more than happy to have the help of an experienced nanny.

 

[aftershocks]

Hopefully Meghan has that baby soon. I am sure she is getting a bit fed up being pregnant!

https://twitter.com/scobie/status/1124395923394760705
"As the excitement (and hysteria!) for the arrival of Baby Sussex continues to build... all is calm over at Frogmore Cottage..."

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a27357805/meghan-markle-royal-baby-wait/
"... despite being past her due date, Duchess Meghan is taking pregnancy overtime in stride. 'Comfortable and content,' says a friend of the mom-to-be. 'She’s got this.'"

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/8999487/meghan-markle-prince-harry-royal-baby-gift-lullaby/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1boF3280wk Karen Gibson of the Kingdom Choir explains how her gospel choir were asked to sing at last May's royal wedding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X1hvrBM1OU Wonderful story of the choir's journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciy7XqZZmY0 Blinded by Your Grace - Kingdom Choir

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/meghan-markle-prince-harry-midwife-16210150
A very nice and uplifting wedding gift in honor of the Sussexes that is coming to fruition

 

[Vagabond]

And, for all the excitement, there is no official statement that the Duchess is in labor.

 

[aftershocks]

So, it's looking like no Star Wars Sussex Baby is in the cards either. I guess the baby's still chillin'
https://twitter.com/KatherineEliza/status/1102369517420888064

 

[fan]

Couldn’t agree more with this post. Having a newborn(s) can be very challenging .... I find it LOL that so many people seem to think you just do a quick feeding, change a quick diaper, and bam, you’re done for several hours! I wish my life had been like that when my twins were newborns. Suffice to say that nursing isn't always easy to establish and/or may need to be combined with bottlefeeding ... babies with delicate digestive systems or reflux may need special formulas and/or a careful burping process after each feeding ... and not all babies just placidly sleep or sit quietly between feedings! Some may have colic or significant fussing/crying periods (mine did). Many new moms dealing with such issues would be more than happy to have the help of an experienced nanny.

I’m so nervous now for babyFAN, who arrives next week. Yikes

 

[aftershocks]

Meanwhile, a Throwback Saturday video of Prince Harry & Prince William being interviewed by Today show host, Matt Lauer in 2007:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-faZVpnX0GI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Gkjvo4ILo a longer version

Boy were those Windsor lads cute in those days. Both handsome young hunks back then, who while still tall and hunky today, definitely ain't as cute. William has much less hair and he seems a bit uptight, while Harry appears more easygoing and sexy, but a bit scruffy-looking. Although, I think Meghan has helped Harry in the sartorial, beard trimming and polishing up process. Yet, Harry having come into his own, is more his own journey. He's still himself as he was always meant to be, he just seems more confident, grounded and self-assured after meeting and marrying Meghan. Harry still has that deep baritone voice too, which is so appealing.

The first snippet in which they are asked what they would have liked to do had they not been royal is very revealing. William: an emergency helicopter pilot; Harry: a wildlife conservationist in Africa. They both ended up becoming involved in those interests. The only difference is that William had to curtail his air ambulance pilot career, while Harry still gets to pursue a lot of his conservation interests in Africa, along with shouldering royal duties. They both had to end their careers in the military. I remember seeing this feature years ago. But looking back is revealing since so much has happened since then that can be put into context.

 

[KatieC]

I’m so nervous now for babyFAN, who arrives next week. Yikes

Wishing you a wonderful, happy baby, who sleeps through the night at the ripe old age of 6 days. (My sister did this, I was the cranky one who took 6 weeks.)

 

[quartz]

My kids took 4 years to sleep through the night.

 

[skategal]

My kids took 4 years to sleep through the night.

Yep....my one kid took 5 years.

Even now that he’s almost 9 he will have nights when he wakes up and calls out for me.

 

[aftershocks]

Hopefully, things will work out smoothly for Meghan and inducement won't be necessary. Here's the Daily Fail, but it could be simply negative speculation: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...e-Meghans-natural-birth-dreams-shattered.html

Lady Gabriella Windsor (daughter of Prince & Princess Michael of Kent) will be marrying Thomas Kingston at St. George's Chapel on May 18. Kingston is a former boyfriend of Pippa Middleton. It was recently reported that QE-II is expected to attend along with other members of the British royal family (likely including Princess Eugenie who is goddaughter to Lord Frederick Windsor's oldest daughter, Maud -- little Maud served as one of the flower girls at Eugenie's wedding)
https://twitter.com/chrisshipitv/status/1124347777566367744
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/s...ho-is-thomas-kingston-lady-gabriella-windsor/
https://www.theknotnews.com/lady-gabriella-windsor-thomas-kingstons-wedding-details-39079
(correction to the article: St. George's Chapel is said to have a capacity of 800, not 'thousands')

Gabriella's brother Freddie was reportedly seen as a rabble-rousing influence on Prince Harry when both were in their twenties (Freddie is 3 years older than William and 5 years older than Harry). However, both Harry and Freddie have settled down quite nicely, and coincidentally both married actors. Freddie's wife is British thespian, Sophie Winkleman. In November 2017, Sophie suffered life-threatening injuries in a car crash. She explains how she was helped by Prince Charles and other members of the royal family:
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/s...rles-lady-frederick-windsor-sophie-winkleman/
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016021529796/lord-lady-frederick-windsor-baby-exclusive/

No baby announcement for Eugenie, but wishes nonetheless:
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2019033071485/princess-eugenie-baby-wishes-from-fans/

Sad news that Lady Davina (of Gloucester) divorced her Maori husband, Gary Lewis, with whom she has two children:
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...ndsor-gary-lewis-royal-split-palace-confirms/

 

[mag]

Hopefully, things will work out smoothly for Meghan and inducement won't be necessary. Here's the Daily Fail, but it could be simply negative speculation: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...e-Meghans-natural-birth-dreams-shattered.html

I did not click on this link because the headlines just makes me so angry! The goal when having a baby is to give birth to a live baby that is as healthy as possible. Anything else is just extra. I really hope that Meghan has not bought in to all the “natural” bullshit around babies. There is nothing inherently good about nature - in fact, nature is busy trying to kill us all! Being induced, having a C Section, drugs, no drugs, none of it matters. What matters is the live baby and live mom at the end.

I trust that Meghan has a team of doctors around her. Hopefully she will take their advice and not allow all the crazy “natural” moms out there make her feel guilty about making the smart and safe choices for herself and her baby.

 

[aftershocks]

Of course, if the baby for some reason can not be birthed naturally, they will have to make the best decision to try to induce manually or otherwise. I'm not a doctor and every woman's experience is different, but I have a sister who lost her fourth baby (a son after three daughters) many years ago. She was close to being two weeks overdue. I wasn't with her at the time, so I don't know all of the details regarding her medical care. The experience was tremendously traumatic because there was nothing wrong with the baby if the doctors had only realized intervention needed to have taken place without too much delay. Ultimately, my sister survived, but the precious baby did not.

On the bright side, surely the Duchess of Sussex has the best medical care in the world, and everything is being closely monitored. Quite a number of people are interested, so that's perhaps why it seems to us on the outside so concerning with all of the speculation that's been rampant. So rather than speculate about what I don't know, I'm sending good vibes and happy thoughts to the occupants of Frogmore Cottage!

 

[canbelto]

I am really shocked at the amount of people online who are placing bets on the baby including the gender and the name. Huh?

 

[aftershocks]

^^ There's way more in this world to be shocked by than people placing bets on a royal baby's gender and name. You must not have ever followed any of the other recent royal births.

It's a betting culture we live in. Sports betting is especially endemic. Speculating on baby names can be fun, but I would never bet on such things. Still, it's not too far off from buying a lottery ticket or 'playing the numbers.'

 

[fan]

My kids took 4 years to sleep through the night.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[mag]

My kids took 4 years to sleep through the night.

Yep....my one kid took 5 years.

Even now that he’s almost 9 he will have nights when he wakes up and calls out for me.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

My eldest was a great nighttime sleeper. Never really napped during the day unless it was with me on the couch, but did 12 hours a night from 3 months. My next child, well, let’s just say she did not follow the same pattern

I feel like I should add that the eldest one and I spent the first three months sitting on the couch together all day. She fed pretty much fed every half hour. My husband would get home from work and I would still be in the same place. He would take the baby for a walk while I showered, then he would make dinner while she ate again. I would tidy up the dinner while he played with the baby, I would feed her again and then go straight to bed. He rocked her to sleep and then went to bed. I did all the nighttime feeding because he had to work in the morning and I was breast feeding so it seemed silly for us both to get up.

But this is where we can’t put our own experiences forth as examples of what it is like for someone like Meghan. She will not have to worry about anything other than herself and the baby. She can sit on the couch all day and nurse the baby if that is what it needs. There will be someone there to make her meals, make the bed, hold the baby while she showers, hold the baby while she does yoga. Someone else will deal with cleaning the bathroom, washing the dishes, vacuuming the dust bunnies. So yes, being a new mother can be extremely difficult and exhausting, but much of that comes from all the other duties new mothers need to perform and because they are often at home, alone, with no one to talk to or ask questions of. Those things simply do not apply to Meghan. That is not to say it will necessarily be a walk in the park. Just that it will be an extremely different journey than the one most of us took or are taking.

 

[Lorac]

I am really shocked at the amount of people online who are placing bets on the baby including the gender and the name. Huh?

No real difference to doing a office pool when a member of staff is pregnant - time, date of birth and weight are usually the things picked then. But people can bet on any old thing - especially here in the UK - just go to a betting office or site and state what you want to bet on and get odds and place bet - simple!!! And to be honest betting on sex and name is fairly benign - I'd rather they did that then spew some of the hate that some do!!

 

[puglover]

Totally off topic - but one of my very favorite shows currently is "One Born Every Minute", the British version. Most births are with just gas and air and the midwives are so lovely and supportive. They obviously do use epidurals and c sections, but it certainly is made to appear as though they are a small minority and only if really necessary. If Meagan has anywhere near the experience of the women I watch, it will be filled with laughter, tons of encouragement, and a glorious baby to cuddle.