So yesterday I was approached by a complete stranger in a parking lot who proceeded to tell me that “Baby on Board” signs are stupid. I was a little taken aback and kind of brushed it off. It got me thinking though. Why do I have this sign on my car? Is it “stupid”? Do people think I’m stupid because I have one? Do all parents use one?
I didn’t learn to drive until I was pregnant (I’m from Europe so it’s not that unusual honest!), so I didn’t really have an opinion on the signs before I needed one. I mean, I saw them but I didn’t drive and so I didn’t think too much about it. I wonder what I would have thought of it before I had my own child…
I was given my “Baby on board” sign as a gift when I was pregnant and already in full worry mode. It felt natural to me to hang it in the car because really any little thing that made me feel safer was worth it at that point. I hung it in the car when I was still pregnant. Well what if we were in a rush going into hospital and forgot it? Did I mention I worry?
As it turned out we were rear ended when my daughter was 9 months old. It wasn’t my favourite day. Luckily no-one was moving at speed and no-one was hurt. Funnily enough my little lucky sign was knocked off in the collision. Yes, I later hung it back up and I can’t stand to part with it yet. Tailgating also makes me kind of ragey these days.
So the parking lot stranger got me thinking and I designed a new sign, just for fun. I don’t think people would have time to read it all though hah!
I’d love to know how you feel about Baby on Board signs. Do you use one? Are you aware of them when you’re driving? Do you think they’re pointless? A lucky charm?
