The Push Present

Today is a P.S.A. for all the soon-to-be first-time dads out there. Increasingly, a custom is forming for men to give a gift to the pregnant woman to celebrate her giving birth. The catchy name for this offering is a “push present.”

While it may be another case of commercial greediness by advertisers to force men to buy things for their partners (I see you, Valentine’s Day), it’s also an opportunity to thoughtfully recognize the literal labor moms endure in pregnancy.

If you accept that it’s a good idea to give a gift to the woman who has carried your child for nine months, your next question might be, “What do I buy?” A simple Google search for “push present” will return countless articles, listicles, and blogs with ideas to fit your situation. Jewelry seems to be a safe bet. A new purse or bag might work if your partner values those accessories. Low-cost gifts are also options especially if they come with thoughtfulness. For example, maybe frame ultrasound pictures or other keepsakes from the pregnancy.

I decided to mix practicality with thoughtfulness. Now, this strategy can be risky, especially if the scales lean too far to the practical side. A bad example might be, “Hey honey, I got you a push present. It’s a new set of tires for your car!” I don’t think that will be too well-received. Keeping this in mind, I gifted her a new iPhone. I reasoned that her phone was aging and I especially wanted her to have an upgraded camera to be able to take all the pictures of the baby and share them with friends and family. There are going to be so many moments that we want to capture and look back on many years down the road and having this device will enhance that experience.

In the end, it’s not about getting the perfect gift. Maybe for you, it’s not about getting a gift at all. But it is important to acknowledge the incredible challenge that moms go through. It is about showing appreciation for the person you love.

So long for now.

-Felix