As I navigated pregnancy, I expected love and support from my husband, Dan. Instead, he demanded I “save up” for maternity leave, sparking a transformative journey.
At six months pregnant, I was managing cravings, swollen feet, and a full-time job. Dan’s message to save money left me stunned.
“Hey, babe!” Dan said, as I walked in the door. “How was work?”
“Comfortable as an office chair for a beached whale,” I replied.
Dan’s seriousness caught me off guard. “You should start saving up.”
“For what?” I asked, confused.
“For when you’re not working after the baby arrives,” he said.
I felt like I was in a parallel universe. “You expect me to contribute equally while recovering from childbirth and caring for our newborn?”
Dan’s response: “Exactly!”
That moment ignited a fire within me. I decided to play Dan’s game, but on my terms.
I became a human calculator, tracking every dollar spent and minute committed to pregnancy. I created a spreadsheet, “The True Cost of Growing a Human.”
From vitamins to maternity clothes, I accounted for everything. I even included “hormonal cry sessions” and “3 a.m. existential crises.”
After a week, I presented Dan with a comprehensive invoice.
His eyes widened as he scanned the list. “Regina, this can’t be right.”
I smiled sweetly. “That’s your half of the pregnancy costs, dear husband.”
Dan’s face transformed from shock to recognition.
“Regina, I… I didn’t mean…”
“I remember,” I said. “You wanted 50/50. Now, it’s your turn to feed the pig.”
Over the next few weeks, I continued tracking expenses. Dan’s eyes widened with each new sum.
Finally, he broke. “Okay, okay! I understand.”
Dan’s transformation was remarkable. He took on household chores, accompanied me to appointments, and even registered us for prenatal yoga.
One evening, he apologized. “I was so focused on money, I forgot what’s truly important.”
Tears filled my eyes. “We’re in this together, going forward. No more 50/50.”
Dan destroyed the invoice, but not before promising to support me during maternity leave.
As we swept up the shattered piggy bank, I realized we’d removed more than just broken ceramic.
Dan learned a valuable lesson: never underestimate a pregnant woman with Excel skills.
The piggy bank’s remnants now serve as a reminder in our garden: marriage and parenting are about partnership, not keeping score.
