Kids at baby showers?

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind not everyone's home is child friendly. No fun for you to watch your kid's every move. But as a veteran shower hostess, I think there is no harm in asking!

[Anonymous]

I think babies in carriers are ok - but toddlers at a shower will not let the host nor the mom relax. I think the mother to be should enjoy as much time as she can pre-chaos. There are some older kids 3-4 that are actually really calm and sit by their mom's sides the entire time and if it was me I would welcome it - but not the ones zipping thru the house and trying to rip thru the gifts - too stressful.

[Anonymous]

Tacky, tacky, tacky. No kids or dogs, please.

[Anonymous]

to the tacky poster - not everybody shares your opinion. Just because somebody turns a shower into a family party doesn't mean that they are tacky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to the tacky poster - not everybody shares your opinion. Just because somebody turns a shower into a family party doesn't mean that they are tacky.

Can I bring my ga-ga MIL? Can I bring the FIL who wears diapers? The wacky BIL who pinches the ladies' bottoms? After all, it's a family party!

[Anonymous]

Showers that are family-style are more fun than the same-old same-old ladies lunch with boring shower games --- yuck. I think it's hilarious to even consider not having babies and small children at a party meant to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. Unfortunately I've run into this before --- particularly with folks without kids as well as those who are expecting their first --- they simply don't have a clue as to how their lives will change once their baby arrives. Bottom line: if you want your friends with infants and toddlers to be able to attend your party, then give them the option of bringing their kids --- b/c not everyone has a babysitter, relative, or DH willing or able to babysit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the irony of ironies. Why can't you bring a baby/small child to a baby shower? With the permission of the person hosting, why not? I don't know why things are so wacky.

If you all know each other have the DADS take them on an outing or if the shower hostess has a kid let them have a DADS and kids get together . Then you all can have girl chat.

[Anonymous]

Bringing babies and small children to showers spoils the illusions of the poor, unsuspecting mother-to-be.

Let her have her fantasies of using her maternity leave to re-wallpaper the hallway, reading book after book to her utterly engrossed six-month-old, taking leisurely walks on the beach with her 18-m.o., and going for ice cream with her charming, patient 3-y.o.

It's not fair to show her reality before the first contraction hits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A "true" baby - like one that just sits in the carrier and sleeps...yes

A crawler who will attempt to stick everything in its mouth, pull itself up on the nice coffee table and require baby-proofed arrangements...no.

A toddler - who needs to be entertained, monitored, and can get in the way...no.

Don't turn it into a playdate and if you're the only one bringing a child than no. Remember, this is an adult party.
And just b/c all the guests have children/babies of their own doesn't mean it should be a gathering of the masses.

It is whatever the host and guest of honor wants it to be. If they want an adult party, men and women, kids, no kids, more power to them. Like one of the PPs, we had a casual affair in my friend's backyard with male and female friends, kids, no games, and we had a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bringing babies and small children to showers spoils the illusions of the poor, unsuspecting mother-to-be.

Let her have her fantasies of using her maternity leave to re-wallpaper the hallway, reading book after book to her utterly engrossed six-month-old, taking leisurely walks on the beach with her 18-m.o., and going for ice cream with her charming, patient 3-y.o.

It's not fair to show her reality before the first contraction hits.

Tee hee.

[Anonymous]

I have been to a lot of showers and have never had children there. I usually think of it as a last opportunity for the mom-to-be to get together with friends and relax and celebrate the fact that she is becoming a mother. Small children take the focus off of the new mother and the relaxing atmosphere. When a friend recently had a shower for me, she sent her husband out for the afternoon with her husband so that we could have a nice girls' lunch.

Of course it depends on what the hostess and the guest of honor have in mind for the shower, so you can check with them.

[Anonymous]

My children are very well behaved, but I would still never take them. I feel like the point is to celebrate the new mom-to-be, and I cannot do that properly if I am watching, disciplining, talking to my kids. It is not fun for me and unfair towards her. If I cannot shelve my kids for three hours to focus on a friend or family member, shame on me. People who force their children on others, even at seemingly "child-friendly" events are being rude at worst, and just plain obtuse at best. Adults can and should celebrate each other without the presence of children.

Family events where everyone is welcome never requires a phone call from me, the whole family in invited on the invite!

[Anonymous]

OP here -

The mom-to-be has no problem having kids around and if anyone else from our group of friends was hosting, kids would be a forgone conclusion. I only asked bc she is having a work-friend host the shower and I wasnt sure what the normal etiquitte calls for, regardless of what the hostess chooses to allow.

[Anonymous]

tacky tacky troll and other posters who think having kids at showers is somehow a travesty: What if mom-to-be wants kids there? Still think that's tacky?

I'm a first time mom and I WANT your children to celebrate along with everyone else! We don't have the pleasure of living in the same town as our families and even our friends often leave the kids with babysitters when we go out to dinner. To me, an event like this calls for family. To be clear, I would NOT bring my own children to a shower or any event without an invitation or direct indication that they were welcome, but I personally want family (kids and adults alike) at my shower.

It's been a long time since I've seen some of my family members and their children and I treasure every chance to see them I get. So if I invite you and your kids to my shower and you don't want to bring your own kids because you think it's somehow "tacky," that's cool I guess, but please stop trying to convince others to stop sharing their children for an afternoon with a mom-to-be who can't wait to join their chaotic but amazing ranks.

[Anonymous]

If her childless work friend is hosting, I definitely wouldn't even ask to bring any toddler or child. It's not fair to the hostess unless she specifically invites kids--and it would be putting her on the spot to ask.