"Within minutes, my two college friends with whom I'd spent countless days and nights belting out karaoke versions of "The Call," dropped the news into our group chat. "When are we booking?" they asked. They were right, of course. We had to go. Not just because it was the Backstreet Boys, though they were the soundtrack to so many of our college and post-collegiate experiences, but because it was the Sphere, a new futuristic arena that everyone was buzzing about."
"Still, with shows scheduled for July and August, I knew it would be nearly impossible for me to get there. By then, my baby would be just 2 months old. Add him to my three other children, the oldest only 6, and the thought of leaving felt borderline ridiculous. Even with my mom and nanny helping, I couldn't imagine asking my husband to manage it all alone."
"Planning the trip was a lot The logistics were daunting. The shows were only scheduled Friday through Sunday, which clashed with my observance of Shabbat. That left Sunday night, which would mean flying out in the morning, dragging myself to the concert exhausted, and asking my nanny to work her usual day off. Add in my hesitation to commit before giving birth - part superstition, part maternal guilt - and I kept letting go of my potential plan."
An expectant mother at 26 weeks learned about a Backstreet Boys residency and felt compelled to attend with longtime friends. She anticipated difficulty attending because a newborn would be just two months old and she already had three other young children. The husband granted practical permission to go. The limited weekend shows, observance of Shabbat, childcare arrangements, postpartum timing, and maternal guilt complicated planning. The futuristic Sphere venue added excitement. The concert became a sought-after chance to prioritize joy and self-care, requiring negotiation of both practical constraints and emotional hesitation before committing to the short getaway.
Read at Business Insider
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