Would you drive 5 hours for a baby shower?

[Anonymous]

H’s family wants to throw us a shower. I like his family a lot, and it’s really important to me for us to have a good relationship. But, the thought of driving 5+ hours when I’m 6-7 months pregnant does NOT sound fun to me. Plus, my best friend is already throwing us a shower, which they would of course be invited to, although I doubt they’ll want to drive that far just to come drive it again in a couple months when the baby is born.

WWYD? Suck it up and travel to their shower? Or ask them to come to us?

[Anonymous]

Just do it.

My in-laws threw a shower in their area 5 hours away. It was lovely, and we received a lot of great gifts.

They’re excited and want to be involved. Let them. Trust me.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, no, you have to do this. You’ll be fine. Take it slow and stop for walking breaks.

My only question would be around how to bring the gifts back. People like to see you with the gift they purchased. That can add up. Not everyone will buy something online to be delivered. Is there a plan for another relative to transport them back to your place?

[Anonymous]

I’m not a shower person at all, so I vote no, especially if you can’t be sure that everyone will be vaxed etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes - make it a weekend visit- it’s his family and this is how you build relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes - make it a weekend visit- it’s his family and this is how you build relationships.

+1

[Anonymous]

Yes. This is sort of for you, and mostly to welcome the baby into their family and circle of friends. If you can manage it, this is certainly something that you want to encourage on behalf of your child. Inviting them to a different shower, IMO, is not the same thing.

If you really don’t think you’ll feel up to it, maybe explore the possibility of doing an alternate date to welcome the baby on their turf, after the baby is born.

[Anonymous]

Yes, on this case I would. Not to attend, but this is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes - make it a weekend visit- it’s his family and this is how you build relationships.

This is what we did. It was really nice and made me feel like a more permanent part of the family.

[Anonymous]

Not with covid, otherwise, maybe. Or, wait and bring the baby after its born.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Hard no.

[Anonymous]

You're wrong to presume your inlaws will come down to visit/see you again when your BFF hosts her shower for you You really think great Aunt Milly will make that trip? Nope.

This is their thing. They're excited for you and Dh. And their grandkid.
Don't spoil it by not going. And you don't even have a good excuse to boot.

Make a weekend out of it. Enjoy the fellowship

[Anonymous]

Yeah it would suck to drive but I would definitely do it. It’s not that bad. Find a park along the way and stop to take a walk.

[Anonymous]

I would not no. I would have the local shower and invite them. They can also bring gifts when they come and see the baby if they want to. Maybe I’m biased because DD is adopted snd we only had 8 days notice we were bringing her home. I didn’t want anything beforehand because I didn’t want to jinx it.