I am not ashamed to admit that I have watched “16 and Pregnant” on MTV. Of course, I was only able to make through one show. I just can’t relate to these girls. I'm not putting down 16 year old children who live in the middle of God’s country, USA- but I’m saying they are a lot different from the people who run in my circle here in Fairfield County.
When I was 16, the very last thing I wanted to do was have a kid. I wanted to graduate from good ‘ol Trinity Catholic in Stamford and find a college that would overlook the “D” I earned in Chemistry. Clearly, these 16 year old girls with their ripped up Levi’s and high aspirations of popping out children like Kate Gosselin were not like me. In a way, I envy the simplicity of their thinking. They have sex, conceive a child, and figure out the rest later. Not me. Not in Fairfield County.
We needed a home. We needed security. We needed psychiatrists. We needed to discuss ridiculous birth plans with gynecologists. We needed to monitor fertile times of the month. We needed to spend hours upon hours researching baby-creating on babycenter.com. I am one of the lucky few of my Mommy Group that actually conceived naturally. Six out of ten of us needed fertility assistance. Mostly, because many of us were already in our 30’s. A far cry from 16. Sigh. We needed a Mommy Group where we could comfort each other, support one another and probably most importantly, drink together. I am happy to say that after three years, we still can head out in South Norwalk and have a hilarious, booze filled Girls Night Out – (GNO, as we call it). We normally leave the children at home for those nights.
Then there was the pressure of actually having the child. Drugs or no drugs. Which hospital to deliver (Stamford Hospital has the best food, in my opinion) -What do you mean my doctor isn’t the doctor on call? – A catheter? What’s a catheter? Yes, of course I want to see the lactation consultant…
Oh, what? She’s tongue tied? She won’t be able to latch? You want to operate and cut my baby’s tongue? Sorry, Doctor. That wasn’t in the plan.
From interviewing pediatricians (“So, Dr. YouThinkI’mCrazy, do you space out your immunization shots? What if I want to? I’ve done some research…”) to interviewing pre-schools, all we want to do is provide the very best for our children (I believe I actually asked a pre-school director if she knew what percentage of their graduates scored above normal on their SATS…)We get consumed with what we think is right/best for our kids.
A far, far cry from 16 and Pregnant. I call it joining the ranks of a Fairfield County Parent. I have a beautiful daughter named Hayden. She turns three years old this month. In her short three years, she has taken ballet, art classes, belonged to three children’s gyms, and several music classes. And even though she was the definition of a colicky child and there were times where I questioned my survival, she has blossomed into an amazing, funny kid. I look forward to sharing my adventures with you.
Anna Sforza-Zapotosky is the definition of a multi-tasker. Why have one love when you can have many? She is a full time Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate servicing all of lower Fairfield County. You can hear her as “Anna Zap” on-air with Connecticut radio stations, 95.9 The Fox and Star 99.9. She has performed standup comedy all over New York City, Westchester County and Fairfield County. Her most important role though is as a Mommy to her beautiful three year old daughter Hayden, and wife of seven years to her college sweetheart, Paul. Together, they are making it in Fairfield County.
You can read more of her “rants” at rantingsofafirsttimemommy.blogspot.com, and always feel free to email Anna.