Pam: Oh, honey, babies don’t smile when they’re just a few hours old. But isn’t she cute?
Matt: She sure is; she’s the cutest baby in the nursery. Look at that one in the corner! He’s pretty ugly!
Pam: Shhhh! Well, we did it! We had the very first New Year’s baby for the new year... one minute after midnight. Sorry you missed out on the deduction for last year.
Matt: That’s ok. I’m sure we’ll be getting a lot of notoriety over this. The Jensen Beach (put in your city’s name) Gazette already called. They want to come for pictures of the baby and us tomorrow. Is that all right?
Pam: Sure. They’ll want to know what we’re going to name her. What are we going to name her?
Matt: You know what my mother wants. (Pam makes a face.)
(Lights down on Pam & Matt and up on grandma and friend.)
Anna: Congratulations, Edna. You finally have a grandchild.
Edna: Yes, and not just any grandchild, but a granddaughter who is the first baby of the year in Jensen Beach (put in your city’s name).
Anna: What are they going to name her?
Edna: They haven’t said but I know it’s just because they want to surprise me. I’m sure they’ll name her Edna after me.
Anna: Really? What about Pam’s mother?
Edna: They’ll probably use her name for the middle name. After all who would want to name their baby Prudence when they could name her Edna?
(Lights down on grandma & friend and up on Pam & Matt.)
Pam: We’ll have to decide on a name tomorrow but it’s not going to be Edna or Prudence.
Matt: Fine with me but you’ll have to tell our mothers.
Pam: Chicken! Just think what this year is going to be like Matt. I’m going to put bows in her hair every day.
Matt: Good thing she has a lot of hair.
Pam: And I am not going to be like one of those mothers who throws a stained sleeper on her child every day. Our baby is always going to be dressed in a pretty dress with matching socks and NO stains.
Matt: Of course. I never could understand why a mother couldn’t keep her child looking decent.
(Lights down on Pam & Matt and up on grandma & friend.)
Anna: Remember when our children were born?
Edna: Oh, I sure do. I had so many illusions about raising a child. Then reality set in. I remember one day I had just changed Matt for the 4th time that day – diaper and clothes! I picked him up to set him in his infant seat and he was already soaked.
Anna: I know what you mean. I remember one day Ellen’s stomach was a little off and I had to change her 7 times and change my own clothes 3 times. It’s easy to laugh at it now but it wasn’t funny at the time.
(Lights down on grandma & friend and up on Pam & Matt.)
Matt: Have you decided what you want to do about going back to work?
Pam: Well, I certainly don’t want to leave her with strangers and my mother is working every day so she can’t watch the baby.
Matt: My mother doesn’t work.
Pam: Yes, I know. Actually I really think your mother has been waiting for us to ask her about taking care of the baby when I go back to work.
Matt: But you haven’t said anything to her yet, have you?
Pam: No I haven’t; have you?
Matt: No. I thought I’d leave that to you.
(Lights down on Matt & Pam and up on grandma & friend.)
Anna: What is Pam going to do about her job?
Edna: Oh, she’s on maternity leave but I’m sure that’s just so she gets paid while she’s out for now. I’m certain she’ll want to stay home with the baby.
Anna: Really? I thought they might ask you to take care of the baby while she works.
Edna: No, they wouldn’t do that. I’ve made it very clear that I want to baby-sit once in a while but not all the time. After all, I’ve already raised my children.
Anna: Well, it’s a good thing that you let them know how you feel. Some kids really take advantage of their parents’ availability.
Edna: Not Mike and Pam. They already know how I feel about it.
Anna: That’s good.
(Lights down on grandma & friend and up on Pam & Mike.)
Pam: Before I go back to work though, I am going to really enjoy taking care of the baby. I’m going to take her for walks in the stroller, read to her, and show her off to all the neighbors.
Mike: That’s great, Pam. You’ve got 6 weeks so you may as well really take advantage of every minute.
Pam: Oh, I will. And while you’re at work I’ll get to spend time completely alone with her. Then when you get home I’ll go do some shopping or something once in a while so you can be alone with her.
Mike: That sounds great!
(Lights down on Mike & Pam and up on grandma & friend.)
Anna: When does Pam come home from the hospital?
Edna: Tomorrow morning. They don’t keep these mothers for very long any more.
Anna: I guess not!
Edna: While Mike brings her home I’m going to clean their apartment and start a meal for them. When he goes back to work I’m going to spend the day there helping Pam for a few weeks. I’m sure she’ll need the help - and the company.
Anna: That’s true. She’s used to being with people every day.
Edna: That’s right.
(Lights stay up on grandma & friend and go up on Pam & Mike.)
Pam & Edna (simultaneously): This is going to be a wonderful year!
Anna & Mike (simultaneously): I hope all goes as planned.
Lights out.
......................................................................
Copyright John & Joanne Miller, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed free of charge, provided no charge is
made for entrance or for programmes. In return, the authors would like
to be notified of any performance. For further information regarding performance
rights, they may be contacted at: joannesmiller65@gmail.com.