I believe that every child is a blessing so each should have it's own babyshower. I had one with my first child, and since my second child was the opposite gender, I was given another shower. My 3rd child got nothing. I didn't need anything but I have no pictures of any cake or family celebrating the birth like I do for the other two kids. I don't think gifts are necessary...the family together for such a happy event is what is important. Anyway, I have our last child on the way and I do not expect anything. I was wondering if it would be in poor taste to have our own party...no gifts allowed..just family? Also, my best friend is having her second baby and I would like to give her a shower for this child like I did for the first one. Is this in poor taste?
Perfectly fine! Some people are uncomfortable, however, with not bringing gifts...so you could also consider a note of a charity that needs baby items along with the request for no gifts.
My sister's friends threw a diaper shower for her since it was her fifth-and they had a lot of fun! I think any excuse to get your friends/family together is a good excuse. If there are people out there who worry about what is in poor taste and what isn't, they can chose not to attend eh? Just throw a good party, have a good time, and don't worry about the rest. Congratulations!
I think that for every child the mommy ought to have a baby shower. Each new child is special and with each child the mom needs to know that she is special. As for the gifts if you don't want gifts request no gifts if you wouldn't mind gifts then let them bring some or perhaps ask for diapers and wipes or other disposable items that mommies and babies use. Sometimes throwing your own is what you have to do. I had to throw my own first baby shower. I didn't have enough money to throw a second baby shower and my third one was given to me as a suprise otherwise I wouldn't of been able to afford that one either. I think it is wonderful that you care enough about your friend to throw her a baby shower on baby number two and I hope you have tons of fun at it.
I recently had a baby (#6 for us) and a friend of mine threw us a shower. I really didn't expect anything, but it was nice to have friends come and welcome the baby. I was also like you my first and second had a shower because they were opposite genders, but no one else but now our 6th have had one. If you are concerned about people thinking that you are asking for gifts, just say on the invites that you don't want gifts. Something else that you could do would be to have a themed shower...have everyone bring their favorite book for a child.Or you could even have a pamper mom party and all the gifts could be to help the new mom take care of herself (lotions, body washes etc). But every child deserves a party to honor their arrival. As for your friend do a party but have the gifts fit the theme like a book party or diapers and wipes party. Congrats and good luck
Before my second son was born we had a "luncheon" to celebrate the upcoming arrival of the new baby. We stated on the invitations that gifts were not necessary. Of course everyone brought gifts and we had a great time. It was just nice to get together with friends and family and create some fun memories that I can share with my son. I read an article on shower etiquette and it said that every new baby is special and should be celebrated, therefore it is not in poor taste to have some type of shower/celebration for each new baby!
I found this on storknet.com if it helps:
Showers for second (or more) babies
Q. Is it improper to have a baby shower for your second baby, especially if the sex is different?
A. It is never improper to have a baby shower. A shower is so much more than gifts. It is an opportunity to gather family and friends together to celebrate the beginning of a new life. The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion, and it is always acceptable to celebrate it. If other family members or friends are concerned about it being improper to have a baby shower for a second (or more) child, there are ways to take the focus off the gifts. If the second child is a different sex than the first, it would be fun to host a "It's a Girl" or "It's a Boy" party, where guests bring gender specific gifts. Or, if the mom-to-be truly does not need anything for the new baby, forego gifts altogether and just gather to celebrate. Another option is to host a casserole shower or a pampering mom shower.
Plan you events and enjoy them!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it is a great idea! It is a celebration of each new life and though it at first can be about needing to set up things and get gifts for the new baby any celebration for each child that is born is huge! I think you are a great friend doing that for your friend!!!!!
I was given a baby shower for my first, but not my second. I didn't mind, because we had so many things already. However, I understand what you mean about not having the pictures from that special event. I see no problem with celebrating the upcoming arrival of your newest family member! Go ahead and have a little party. As far as your friend, many people do have showers for each child, so I am sure your friend would enjoy another one! One thing I do if invited to a shower for a family that has older children is to bring the older children a gift, too, so they don't feel left out.
I think it's perfectly acceptable to throw a party for yourself as long as you stipulate "no gifts, please" otherwise I think it just looks like you're expecting gifts. Besides, those that know you well enough will bring a gift for the baby after he/she is born.
As for throwing a shower for your friend, I think it's a great idea, too. But see what she thinks first. I would've liked to have had a "no gifts/welcome baby" shower with my second child, just to get together with friends and family to celebrate.
I have thrown many "sprinkles" for my friends. We call it a sprinkle because that is what we are doing...sprinkle her with things she may need that she didn't get the first time around. You can make it a theme such as diapers and formula, videos and cd's etc.
Have fun with it as every pregnancy should be celebrated.
I don't think it's in poor taste at all. I also think every child is a blessing. there are so many alternatives to the traditional shower.babies always need diapers or you can ask for donations for a crisis pregnancy center. or make it a freezer meal shower so mom has easy meals for her family those first few weeks. and if you are no comfortable with gifts simply make it a girls night out to pamper mom and celebrate with friends
i agree with most of the ladies, you should have a party! Baby showers can serve many purposes, not just to get all the stuff you need. You are having your last child, and should celebrate your last pregnancy, and celebrate your new child coming into the world. make the party a differen ttheme other than all about baby. make it about finishing the family, or uterus out of commision, somehting like that.have fun!
I have heard that people should have 1 shower for each gender. Once you have one of each, unless there is a huge age difference, there is no need for one. IN MY OPINION, if you want to have a shower for each child, by all means. If you are uncomfortable with it being a baby shower, make it be a pot luck get together with your friends and family. Like you said, each child is a blessing and should be celebrated. You can also request no gifts or have them donate baby items in your honor to a NICU ward in a hospital or to another organization that is in need of baby items.
As for throwing a shower for your friend, there is nothing wrong with that at all. You are a wonderful friend for wanting to do that for her.
