Parents-to-be ask neighbours to COOK and CLEAN for them and people are FURIOUS!
Wow
While having a new baby is an exciting, joy-filled time, it’s also exhausting and stressful, which is why most people are happy to pitch in to help new parents.
However, one couple raised the ire of many when they posted a very specific list of food items and tasks they needed done once their baby had arrived.
“I'm putting together this 'meal-train' or 'mental-health check-in train' or 'Do you need any help today train',” wrote the Dad-to-be on a social networking site called Next Door.
“A meal would be awesome. If you feel comfortable reaching out before you arrive to see if we might need anything else - that'd be even more awesome.”
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Well, so far, so good. The request seems fairly reasonable. However, it turns out there is a very specific set of rules that need to go with this.
The man also posted more than 30 meals with specific recipes, food preferences and other tips to ensure that any donated food met the couple’s standards, even down to specifying the percentage of cocoa they like in dark chocolate.
“Alex really dislikes mashed potatoes. But again – this isn’t necessarily about food. Text me and check in… vacuum, wash some dishes, walk the dog. Text me on the day and I can let you know what we need.
“If we could use some food but prefer no distractions, I’ll put a big white cooler in our side yard.”
A Twitter user posted the requests on his feed and it swiftly went viral.
“I have stage 4 cancer and live alone, and I wouldn’t expect or ask strangers to do ANY of this for me. These people are DERANGED,” wrote one person.
“Wait, the baby has not even arrived yet? Is this right? Make some fucking food now, asshat dad,” added another.
“Someone PLEASE put Totino’s pizza rolls, Mountain Dew, Doritos and a box of Frosted Flakes in that white cooler. If you’re feeling extra charitable add some Krispy Kremes,” said a third.
However, not everyone thought it was a bad idea to do a 'meal-train'.
"This is just something neighbours used to do for each other," one person commented. We love to b**** about how social media is destroying the fabric of society, but here is an example of someone using it to build a community and then that's wrong, too? Don't take food if you don't want to. Simple."
What do you think? Are the requests reasonable or too demanding?
Nicola Conville has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 20 years across a wide range of print and online publications. Her areas of expertise are parenting, health and travel. She has two children; Lucy, age eight, and Nathan, age five.
