My trip to NYC and a recent watching of Sex & The City 2 on cable got me wondering why I still want to watch it when its on. Let's be honest, the critical ire was warranted; the movie was a vapid piece of crap. I seriously have to leave the room when the karaoke scene comes on....cringe-worthy.
But deep down, the movie includes some truths about relationships, which I think, minus all the designer clothes, private jets, and movie premieres, dealt with in a real way. Charlotte is freaking out because her child is a screaming terror and throwing a serious kink in her J. Crew perfect life. How many moms have felt guilty when they have enjoyed down time away from their toddler? Or been concerned and jealous that their husband might be attracted to someone younger and more fun because mom is all uptight and moody? I would imagine more than we care to admit.
Being 1/2 of a childfree couple, the scene that really speaks to me is where Carrie tells a loyal reader (and serious judgmental bitch) that kids aren't part of her and Big's plan. It always hits me like a ton of bricks. It isn't the declaration that's so shocking, but the complete disbelief that the reader and her husband experience when being told that not everyone has to get married and immediately expand their family. It boggles my mind as to why people are so threatened by that choice and why they feel the need to attack or make me explain what is my and my husband's personal business. For some reason, it is unacceptable to say, "just because I don't want to." You're branded selfish (I'll give you that one), a child-hater (not at all - Love my friends' kids and Mr. D is actually Dr. D, a pediatrician), or misguided (you're missing out on life's greatest joy - yea...I'm pretty sure my day in St. Martin, drinking wine on the beach would have been greatly enhanced by trying to wrestle a screaming toddler to put on his/her sunscreen).
It briefly went through my mind in my 30s to lie and say I couldn't have children. But I find that to be offensive to those women who really want children, but cannot have them. Plus, then I would get unlimited advice on specialists or special remedies to make me fertile - the most terrifying Pandora's box ever. Poor Dr. D (makes him sound like a rapper!) got it worse than I did being a pediatrician. If a friend says she/he might not want kids, leave them the hell alone. It's her/his decision; they are not stupid. If you can't get it, then maybe that's your issue, not his/hers. And it works both ways. There have been times when I have advised younger people to wait and not rush into having kids; then I realized I was doing the same thing, but in reverse. Putting my values on them. So I get the desire to question or advise, but I have learned to just shut the hell up. It's not my life; it's their's.
Stepping off soapbox now to say that SATC2 had some redeemable qualities, and you can be damn sure I'll be on board for a third movie! [Insert stream-of-consciousness rambling here: Possible plot lines: Charlotte & Harry (& brood) move to CT; Miranda, Steve & Brady deal with health issues of some sort or they kill off Magda (Miranda was kind of useless in the 2nd movie so we need some drama there. What ever happened to Steve's Mom - she in a home? Did she die?); Carrie & Big have money issues; and Samantha is researching which assisted living facility has the hottest senior dudes that she can bang! They need to introduce Samantha's family - maybe she needs another long-term boyfriend. Bring Richard back! If they can bring back that useless fuddy-duddy Aidan, they can bring back bad-ass, cheating Richard. Okaaaay, ADHD moment over.]
"Me and you, just us two" - Amen, Carrie!
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