I know I have seen posts on this before, but wanted to get some feedback from you. I am pregnant with our second daughter (our first will be four when the baby is born). A friend of mine is pretty adament about throwing me a 'diaper party' for #2. I feel a little wierd about having something shower-like for etiquette reasons - Im not registering or asking for anything along those lines. However, help with diapers would be really appreciated. And this has been a more difficult pregancy than my first - Id like to have a little celebration for her, but only if it isnt crossing the line. Ive heard mixed reviews about having something like this - what is your opinion?
A diaper shower is perfectly appropriate. #2 DESERVES a special celebration, and diapers are certainly not an overindulgence. The only thing I personally think is wrong is when someone goes and re-registers for things they already have just to get new stuff. In fact, even if you just register for a few small things that you may need that are worn out or outdated from your first child, that is ok too. I would only tell very close friends and family about a possible registry too. That way general friends won't feel obligated. If you still feel awkward about it, just have your friend put a note on the invitation saying something like "Gifts aren't necessary, but if so inclined, please limit it to diapers." Congratulations!
I think a 'diapers and wipes' party is a GREAT idea. I also agree with the other response that you can register for things that are worn out or if you'd just like something new for the baby. It's nice with Baby #2, you pretty much already have everything you "need" - this baby shower for #2 will be a "wants" party! But who couldn't use more diapers?!? Let your friend give the shower and enjoy the party for your new baby!
Personally, I feel shower ettiquette rules are outdated. Most people have their children spread out now, some sell or give away a lot of it, and technology changes. Items are more gender specific now than they used to be when those "rules" were set. Back then, you didn't know what you were having and everything came in neutral colors.
I would let my friend have a shower for me and not worry about it. Who couldn't use diapers?!
Mixed reviews... this baby deserves just as much a celebration as the first. Heck I would have a baby shower again if I was preggo with my tenth baby. Sorry but why would people think that is bad. No doubt you didn't keep all the clothes from your first and no doubt you had to throw some out b/c of messes... right? Don't let anyone tell you, You are crossing the line.
Good Luck and Congrats.
Every baby should be celebrated. Not having showers for subsequent pregnancies is an antiquated idea. Every mother I know has had at least one shower for each baby. Nobody thinks it's rude or weird anymore. And really, this baby deserves to have some new stuff that is just his/hers. You don't have to register for huge items, just register for little things (i.e. pacifiers, blankets, towels, outfits, burp cloths, a new diaper bag etc) that way you get what you want and need. A diaper shower is a fun idea too especially since you seem uncomfortable with the idea of a full-out shower. Don't worry too much about etiquette rules or what people will think. If they don't think its appropriate, they won't come.
Guess I'm the only one that feels this way. But I don't think it's right. 1 shower per family unless and only unless it's be so long since you had a baby that all the baby stuff has been long gone. The idea of a shower is to help someone get started with all the big ticket items. There is nothing wrong with "hand me downs" but thats just me. Times do change.
I don't feel like it's inappropriate to have a shower for your second pregnancy. I actually don't think I ever heard that it was rude (maybe I just don't pay attention to these kinds of things). Especially if you're having the opposite gender this time around. Things like sheets, bedding, towels and clothes are probably going to be needed in different colors. I know most of my daughters towels and stuff are worn out anyway, so even if #2 is another girl, we would need that kind of stuff and that can sure add up financially! I think you should register for the things you need or just be happy to have a zillion diapers....we all know those won't go to waste. If someone is offended by your invitation, then they don't have to come. Celebrate and don't feel a bit guilty about it. Have fun!
I have four kids and each one was celebrated. By the third and fourth it was more about celebrating the baby, not showering it with gifts. You will still need diapers and wipes. Depending on the size of the invite list, you might suggest to your friend that y'all go out for a girls night dinner and gifts are optional. I do think we moms should be careful not to appear greedy or ungrateful, but all children should be celebrated in some way. With my fourth child, we all met a dinner preparation place (like Dream Dinners) and my friends bought packages for their families and then just gave one of the meals to me. I went home with 18 frozen meals and they all went home with prepared meals for their families too. It was a really fun night and useful for everyone. Even if you dont' have a shower, your friends and family will give you gifts, so go with what you are comfortable with.
I believe every baby should get a party! With my last 2, I asked my friends for a party, but I also requested no gifts. When one of the party throwers asked if there was any thing I needed (b/c some people will buy/make gifts no matter what! :)), I was honest, and let them know, and they passed it on. I didn't have to register, or feel guilty in giving the information. Guests asked the hostess what to bring, and the hostess was able to tell them they didn't need to bring anything, but if someone insisted, then they could let them know what would be most helpful. :)
My group of friends ALWAYS throws showers for a 2nd baby, but we just have it at a restaurant and don't get a cake or anything. We just pay for the person's meal and then all bring gifts. If it's another baby of the same gender, we do a neccesities shower and if it's the opp. gender of the first, then we still buy clothes, etc. as well. I think it's great and is very normal to do these days--and I know I certainly appreciated mine!
Absolutely have a shower, there is nothing wrong with having a shower for this baby!!!!
She shouldn't be "left out" by being the second.
And I would register if there are things that you and the baby need. It has been almost 4 years since your first pregnancy, you are bound to need a few NEW things. Enjoy it and DO NOT feel weird or guilty. Give your friends and family an opportunity to celebrate with you and bless this baby.
I hope this has encouraged you. As far as shower Ideas, which you didn't ask for, lol, you don't have to to a typical shower theme, you could do a game night and invite the guys too, or you could do a movie night. My third baby, and yes I had a shower for that one too, I had a game night. It was fun.
Just have fun and don't stress out and if there are people in your life that are offended by you having a shower for you new little one, well, to bad for them they will miss out on the excitement of New Life.
Blessings
T
I'm in the same boat, only my first was a boy and just found out yesterday #2 is a girl. My mother and I discussed the etiqutte of baby showers and we agree that a diaper party is perfectly alright - you're not asking for another crib or anything crazy like that, just a little help with all the diapers and a celebration for the new life coming. I say have a party and enjoy yourself. Down with the nay-sayers!! :)
I have 5 children. My oldest is 23 and back then it was customary in my neck of the woods (LOL - West Texas) to have a baby shower for every baby. My 2nd who was born 2 1/2 yrs later was a girl and I had a shower to welcome her and people brought her presents. 5 years later same for my son. Then after my divorce from my 12 yr marraige, I moved to California and remarried a couple years later. I had a little girl when my son was 7 and all of my friends threw me a shower because I had NOTHING baby left as my 1st husband had a vacectomy and I dontated EVERYTHING baby. But then here is the catch.. 18 months later I had another baby girl. In CALIFORNIA - I learned that showers were thrown for 1st babies and if it has been SO many years it was treated like a first baby. So I felt sad that my 5th baby was not going to have a "welcome" party. She was my last and wanted to do something. Obviously with an 18 month old there was almost nothing I needed. So I had a "Welcome Baby" party. I specifically put the invitation out to come by and see the new member of our family and stated (Gift's not necessary).
I have to say I think it was a great idea, but people had a hard time coming by to see the baby without a gift I guess because only 2 people came by. I was a little sad but by that time so happy to have my baby that it didn't really bother me. At least I gave the "opportunity" to those who wanted to see her. My husband still thinks that it happened to be a busy Saturday and people just had other plans but I think it was more like they felt obligated if they came by to bring a gift and it was not "customary" to do so for a 2nd baby.
I think you should do whatever your "friends" feel comfortable doing for you - and be happy for those who want to show up and thankful for gifts you receive but don't expect anything specific so you are not let down (just in case others were brought up thinking baby showers are for the first baby).
I had a shower for my second. Granted, it was a boy and #1 was a girl, but still... I honestly don't see anything wrong with it at all. I'm sure you'll still need a few baby things, like if they have birthdays in opposite seasons or something. And, hey. Someone else buying your diapers is a wonderful thing. I say Go for it! :D
Congrats!!
Some of my friends and relatives had a shower for me for my 2nd. I was a little weird about it too, but my second was a different sex. They did a teddy bear and gift card shower. Each teddy bear was different and had a Target gift card attached to it. They said that way I could get what I needed when I needed it. I have been to diaper showers for a second baby, but have seen them more thrown for the dad to be by his friends. It is up to you, but I know a shower for a second is not as big as for a first. Good Luck and Congrats.
I don't care what ediquitte says, I think every baby should be celebrated. If you don't feel comfortable having a full blown shower and diaper shower is a great alternative. We have a boy, if our next child is a girl, I would still like a full shower since we will need different stuff, if we are having another boy, at least a diaper shower would be nice. But gifts or not a party celebrating the new life is a wonderful thing to do.