Most people may not have cause to think about what was happening when they were in utero. I do, only because that’s where I was when JFK was shot in November 1963. Forty-four years later my baby has the luck to be in utero during these wild 2008 presidential primary races. He was just fine-tuning his ability to hear what’s going on outside the womb at the time of the Iowa caucuses. The poor kid.
He probably thinks Wolf Blitzer is his father, since that’s the voice he hears second most to mine. I’ve been working from home this month with CNN on practically 24/7. He also used to hear Chris Matthews’ voice every evening, but anyone who reads my political blogs knows we don’t watch Matthews in our house anymore.
As a political junkie, I get all worked up with the ups and downs of this campaign and worry my blood pressure is rising, but the midwife tells me I’m still in good health, despite the campaign.
After I was up very late one night to finish a deadline for a piece, I decided at this stage of pregnancy I better think a little more about what the baby is experiencing. I try to counteract the incessant news with classical music when we go to bed. I try to balance my political aggravation with calming yoga.
But overall I resigned myself that any kid of mine is going to have to adapt to his Mom’s obsession with politics. I know it doesn’t always rub off. I inherited my Mom’s love of politics, but not all my siblings did. Heck, he might even turn out to be a Republican and I’ll still love him.
But as long as he’s captive in utero for these last few weeks, I’m going to try to expose him to more of public television's Charlie Rose and Gwen Ifill. And if he decides to be born the night of the March 4 primary coverage, you can be sure I’ll get a TV into the delivery room.
Comments