Purse Patrol

There are basically two ways to handle being on purse patrol. You can hide or you can flaunt. If the bag is small enough, it can be concealed under a coat, or held discreetly against a leg. If this isn’t possible, I’ve found your only other option is to embrace your role. Crow to the world about your state of liberated-ness, mostly by trying not to look uncomfortable. Wear your ease with pride.

To date Corrie has been a joy and a pleasure to shop with, and I’m rarely left holding her flowery glitter covered shoulder bag for more than a minute or two. We’ve managed to do most of our holiday shopping online so there haven’t been any freakishly hectic mall days to speak of.

I bring this up only because of what we saw the other week, which takes the issue to a whole new level. At a maternity store, while shopping for non-frumpy outfits, I found myself with three other fathers that had already been left behind. There was no hiding the purse. There was no self-consciousness. In fact, the store was beautifully prepared for just such a moment with a dedicated seating area, with plush leather chairs and a huge high-definition TV, ideal for passing the time while the wife shops unencumbered. So what were these guys watching?

Women’s Golf.

Nothing against women’s golf per se. It just took the whole purse patrol realm to a different level. So when you see me carrying our shiny pink diaper bag with our daughter strapped to my chest, know that I’ll be whispering to her tales of high school football glory all the while.