Friday, May 21, 2010

Second baby showers?

In a couple of weeks I am invited to a second baby shower for a friend. The second child is the same sex as the first and has the exact same due date (how weird would that be) so the clothes will be the exact same season as what she already has. I know that second baby showers are a growing trend right now but I want to get your opinion on them. I am leaning one way but my mind isn't completely set. What do you think about second baby showers especially when the ages will be close and the same sex as the first child?

23 comments:

Leslie said...

My bro and sis-in-law have 5 kids. They are almost exactly 2 years apart each. The first two were opposite sexes. However, the middle THREE were all boys. We had baby showers for her for ALL 5!

Just because the baby is the 2nd (or 3rd, etc) doesn't mean that he/she shouldn't have a baby shower! No matter how close together they are in age, I'm sure the mom has found things that she would like to have that would help with a 2nd baby....things she didn't know about for the first baby! :)

koopermom said...

I think every baby deserves a shower. Not because the mom to be deserves all brand new things, but because each child is special and different.

At a first baby shower, the mom gets the big gifts, and second, third showers are more catered to the new baby, new clothes, new blankets, etc. Believe me, these things do wear out fast,and get stained, etc., with newborns.

It's more about celebrating the life to be than buying new things!

Sassy In The South said...

I am invited to a baby shower this weekend with 75 people invited and it is for a 3rd baby that is the same sex as the 2nd baby. Talk about tacky!!!!

Mommyto3andahusky said...

I think they are okay. Now when they have their like fifth or sixth child, that's getting a little ridiculous. I always give a consumable gift like diapers, wipes, and a little toy or something and put it in a cute basket from Michaels, wrap some tule over it and tie it with a pretty bow. Have fun! :) Just remember, you go to their showers and then they come to yours soon and spoil you! :) ha! Been praying for baby thoughts for you! :) Love your blog!

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

I think a baby shower for a second baby...especially under those circumstances (close in age, same sex, similar bdays) is ridiculous and kind of gift grabby.

I agree that every baby should be celebrated...but I think in that situation, a meet the baby type party or BBQ after the baby was born would have been more appropriate.

Alphabet Soup Momma said...

What I have observed around Alabama is that the 1st baby shower is when you get all the big gifts.

And then we have something called a "Sprinkling" for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th baby where the gifts are little like wipes, diapers, and/or a new outfit. At the "Sprinkling" you dont spend more than $10-$15. I personally dont have a problem with this at all, as I feel like it is just celebrating the life of the new baby.

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

I go to second baby sower's all the time. I guess it is the new trend.

Randall @ Happy For This Moment said...

Not a fan, sorry. I think every baby deserves to be celebrated and love the idea of a girls lunch or something with the mom for a second baby. A registry, big gifts and whole formal shower thing for a second baby? No.

Tickled Pink Mandy said...

So funny you should blog about this today.. I woke up thinking about this.. Interesting to see both sides!!

Laura Fine said...

Most of the time I feel so annoyed to be invited to baby showers that are not for a first child. I think it's great to celebrate each child but hate the idea of a big formal shower for each baby. I just went to a great 2nd baby shower where all we brought were diapers. I thought it was a great idea and a nice way for the girls to get together and celebrate the expectant mom.

Sherrie said...

In the circumstances you stated I am not a fan. I would appreciate a sip and see for babies beyond #1 where you had a gathering after the baby is born and actually got to see the baby. :)

I think it is more of a regional thing. I live in WI and have never been to a second baby shower (other than at work we throw a shower no matter what # baby it is).

Sherrie said...

I should add though, that when I was pregnant with #2 one of my classes threw me a baby shower. It was a total surprise and completely touched my heart!

Meredith said...

I think a sip and see is more appropriate. Where you have something for your friends after the baby comes. The more appropriate gift would be diapers or a personalized item.

Unknown said...

We have "sprinkles" here for the 2nd/3rd, etc baby. Instead of showering them with all the stuff- we just sprinkle them with what they need like diapers, wipes, etc. I like that more than just a big baby shower- especially in the situation you're talking about.

Chelsi said...

It seems it would have been a bit more appropriate to have less of a "shower" and more of a luncheon tpype of thing. Every mom deserves to celebrate each baby... but giving the feel of "we want to share the joy of our new blessing!" instead of "buy us some more stuff!" Ya know?

Chelsi said...

I don't know how I missed the "Sprinkles" comment... LOVE THAT! Super cute idea!

Sweet Simplicity said...

My SIL is having another baby boy just a few months off from their first. She is not having a second shower. I think it would be nice to have something for her though. Just to celebrate!

Sara said...

I think it's nice to have a "diaper shower" for additional children, regardless of the gender, but I think it's asking too much to have showers for each child. And, while I would like to agree with some that it's about the new baby, it does seem to focus more on the things. I really like what Allyson had to say about a sprinkling. I think that's more appropriate.

If a mom is having more children it's a good idea to host a sip and see for her. That way people get to meet the new baby, which is what most people want to do anyhow.

JDB said...

Tacky, wrong and all around rude to expect family and friends to provide for additional children. If you are planning on having more, plan on keeping the necessary items.

The Shabby Princess said...

The majority of the second baby showers I have been to have been ones in which the second baby is a different gender, or it's twins or something. In that instance, I'm not opposed to it, especially since it's usually fairly low key and casual. At least in my experience.

I did however attend one that was under very similar circumstances to what you're describing and I went with gifts and it was fun and all, but, a tad off putting. I also think a lot of how I feel towards these things has to do with how I feel about the "tone" of the event, if you know what I mean. The one I mentioned above was very much "this is my baby shower, make a big deal"--that was off putting, but, I still wanted to show my love to my friend and her unborn baby.

It's touchy because this was like NEVER done before, and now I think it seems pretty common!

Kristen said...

What Randall said! I had three showers for my first child, Graham. Zero showers for my 2nd son, Greg (although many kind friends and family came to visit and brought gifts) and my neighbors threw me a very nice shower for my 3rd, Lauren. I was SO grateful for that one, I was nervous that she wasn't really going to be a "she" so I hadn't bought very much. It was so much fun to have everyone celebrate with all that pink!

I tend to skip 2nd baby of the same sex showers. If I am a close friend or it's family, I bring a gift or dinner by.

Laura said...

Hi! I just found your blog and thought I would chime in.. Now, I don't have children but I find the concept of a second baby shower tacky, especially under those circumstances. I agree, a meet the baby BBQ is much more appropriate! I would never have two showers, but agree all babies should be celebrated!

prashant said...

It's more about celebrating the life to be than buying new things!
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