Grandma Showers?

[disney junky]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/31/grandma-baby-showers-_n_4681552.html

Thoughts?

 

[NHdisneylover]

My DD is 17 and my mom's coworkers threw a shower for her when I was pregnant. Many watched me grow up, and others were newer and having babies of their own, even though they were close to my mom's age (she was 42 when DD was born).

It was their idea; she did not ask for it or throw it.

She was not going to be babysitting; we lived a few states away, but they wanted to be a part and threw it anyway and when she came out for DD's birth Mom brought a half a suitcase full of sweet little gifts for my daughter. I was very touched, as was she.

 

[HannaBelle]

I work for/manage a very small office with 6 employees. We have had grandparent baby showers at work for the expecting grandparents for the 1st child only. We all bring small things that grandparents would use at their houses. At 42, I am the youngest of the group so no babies, but lots of grandkids! (NOT me, not yet… I tell DS20 I am fine for at least another 10 years and pack him off to school with protection.)

We get to hear so much about the kids and the grandkids, we just want to share in the joy for the grandparent. If you don’t like it or disapprove, then don’t attend, but don’t squash our joy in celebrating a new baby!

Editing to add that we don't even invite the moms to be, they don't live anywhere near here and we all enjoy a nice lunch, presents and cake!

 

[Tuffcookie]

I think it's a wonderful thing to celebrate this joyous occasion in a friend's life...the arrival of grandkids!

If you are going to be negative and be critical, then obviously, you shouldn't participate!

TC

 

[Stitchfans]

I think it is a good idea, especially for the grandmas who will be babysitting a lot.

 

[disykat]

I think it's kind of silly. (And I'm of the age to get one of those showers any time now.)

I'd have no problem if a few close friends decide to celebrate with me, but I'd be really embarrassed if invitations went out for an event.

What if grandma got a shower and the mom didn't?

 

[sunshinehighway]

I think it's kind of silly. (And I'm of the age to get one of those showers any time now.)

I'd have no problem if a few close friends decide to celebrate with me, but I'd be really embarrassed if invitations went out for an event.

What if grandma got a shower and the mom didn't?

I agree. If it's just some little thing with a few friends to celebrate I think it's ok. A big thing with invitations and presents sounds over the top. I know this is going to sound like I'm just a grump but I don't really care, people need to get over themselves. Everything doesn't need a celebration and presents. Yeah it's wonderful that x is going on in your life and I am happy for you but I have things in my own life that require my time and money.

 

[wiigirl]

I think it's a wonderful thing to celebrate this joyous occasion in a friend's life...the arrival of grandkids!

If you are going to be negative and be critical, then obviously, you shouldn't participate!

TC

 

[Minnie824]

I don't like the idea. Having a baby is a huge deal for the parents...its about them and the baby, not the grandparents. My kids are young still but when they do have kids I would never want a shower for myself...I feel it would take away from their special time.

 

[TanyaS]

My Dad's office staff threw him a "Granddad Shower" when I was pregnant with his first grandchild. We thought it was really sweet.

They gave him items that would be useful to have around the house when the grandchild visited from out of town - diapers, a bouncy seat, sippy cups, etc.

I think it was a fun excuse to eat cake and the items were nice for my parents to have on hand for all the future grandchildren.

 

[bedogged]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/31/grandma-baby-showers-_n_4681552.html

Thoughts?

I guess I'm just an old fogie. I hate the idea of yet another made up celebration requiring a gift. How about a very merry un birthday?

 

[luvsJack]

I think there is a right way and a wrong way to do something like this.

It should be a quiet, friends only luncheon kind of thing.

My mom's Sunday school class always did one for the ladies in the class. (they are all great-grandmas now so a bit past the point) They would all bring something for a little pot-luck lunch, some one would have a cake or maybe another kind of special dessert and they would give grandma some little "happy" or they may all go in together and get something as large as a crib if grandma plans to keep the little one a lot. One time it was all children's books that were given so grandma would have a nice library for lots of reading and snuggling.

I wouldn't really call what they did a "shower" but more of a "we love you and want to celebrate with you" luncheon.

Now, if this went into inviting the Mom to be, her family and friends, etc. then that is a bit over the top. That would be taking away from the Mom and would be a huge no-no, imo. A small group of friends that have no real connection to the mom to be or the father to be, I don't see an issue with it.

As for there being too many celebrations, I disagree. I think we need to celebrate MORE! Life is short and people should celebrate as often as they want to. If you have "other things to do" then that's on you, not the ones that want to celebrate and enjoy the things happening in their lives.

 

[bedogged]

I think there is a right way and a wrong way to do something like this.

It should be a quiet, friends only luncheon kind of thing.

My mom's Sunday school class always did one for the ladies in the class. (they are all great-grandmas now so a bit past the point) They would all bring something for a little pot-luck lunch, some one would have a cake or maybe another kind of special dessert and they would give grandma some little "happy" or they may all go in together and get something as large as a crib if grandma plans to keep the little one a lot. One time it was all children's books that were given so grandma would have a nice library for lots of reading and snuggling.

I wouldn't really call what they did a "shower" but more of a "we love you and want to celebrate with you" luncheon.

Now, if this went into inviting the Mom to be, her family and friends, etc. then that is a bit over the top. That would be taking away from the Mom and would be a huge no-no, imo. A small group of friends that have no real connection to the mom to be or the father to be, I don't see an issue with it.

As for there being too many celebrations, I disagree. I think we need to celebrate MORE! Life is short and people should celebrate as often as they want to. If you have "other things to do" then that's on you, not the ones that want to celebrate and enjoy the things happening in their lives.

Celebrating is one thing. A celebration where a gift is expected is another. In this time of financial uncertainty, not everyone has those additional funds to spend on gifts.

 

[nicolita3]

Celebrating is one thing. A celebration where a gift is expected is another. In this time of financial uncertainty, not everyone has those additional funds to spend on gifts.

This. I think it is tacky. Can you imagine getting an invite to a baby shower, then a grandma shower, and I have heard now there are showers for the dad to be also. Some people also state that you now have to bring books instead of cards.... That's 3+ gifts... I think its ridiculous.... Oh and how can I forget some people are now throwing gender reveal parties and expecting gifts for that also.

 

[luvsJack]

Celebrating is one thing. A celebration where a gift is expected is another. In this time of financial uncertainty, not everyone has those additional funds to spend on gifts.

Well, in the way that I described the ladies spent very little and if someone didn't want to buy a gift they did not have to attend. If any of the little ladies were having financial hardships and could not buy a little gift (9 out of 10 times we are talking about less than $10, except when they all went together and decided to get a crib but even then I think it was bought from a family member of one of them so not much); the other ladies would be aware and would let her know really quick not to worry about it and to come and enjoy the fellowship with them.

Actually I have never been anywhere that a gift was expected. Nice, yes. Expected or required? No.

And I stand by what I said, celebrations are something we need more of. Life is way too short not to have them as often as possible.

I buy someone a gift because I want them to know I am happy for them and I care about them. So the gift in itself is a celebration too.

 

[bedogged]

Well, in the way that I described the ladies spent very little and if someone didn't want to buy a gift they did not have to attend. If any of the little ladies were having financial hardships and could not buy a little gift (9 out of 10 times we are talking about less than $10, except when they all went together and decided to get a crib but even then I think it was bought from a family member of one of them so not much); the other ladies would be aware and would let her know really quick not to worry about it and to come and enjoy the fellowship with them.

Actually I have never been anywhere that a gift was expected. Nice, yes. Expected or required? No.

And I stand by what I said, celebrations are something we need more of. Life is way too short not to have them as often as possible.

I buy someone a gift because I want them to know I am happy for them and I care about them. So the gift in itself is a celebration too.

Commonly, gifts are expected at showers. Personally, I would be embarrassed to attend a shower without a gift. Ten dollars can be a lot of money for some people. Even a simple card is expensive. Now, if they want to have a shower and specify no gifts, I'm in. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a celebration in addition to the regular baby shower.

 

[powellrj]

I don't like the idea. Having a baby is a huge deal for the parents...its about them and the baby, not the grandparents. My kids are young still but when they do have kids I would never want a shower for myself...I feel it would take away from their special time.

You don't hang around alot of grandmas I am guessing! Almost all of my friends are grandmas and we know all about the grandkids and most of them we have never met! Having a grandchild is a huge deal for grandmas and its not just about the parents. I have never been to a grandma shower, but I can see where some people would have one.

I have sent lots of congrats cards to grandmas! Its a huge deal! I love hearing about all the grandkids and my friends love to tell everyone. I know more about my friends grandkids than I do about their own kids!

 

[jahber]

If the birth of a baby (even a grand baby) isn't worthy of a celebration, what is? Maybe it's just me, but any "friend" who would resent me for not bringing a gift to a shower or party if I couldn't afford one isn't much of a friend. It doesn't matter what my definition of "afford" is, either. None of my friends or I would ever expect a gift. If it's a requirement, it's hardly a gift, is it? All that to say, I think these parties and showers are great. If I can't afford a gift, I can at least show up and express my happiness and well wishes. If that's not the case for others, then just don't show up. But why rain on the parade of people who want to celebrate a new baby?

 

[luvsJack]

Commonly, gifts are expected at showers. Personally, I would be embarrassed to attend a shower without a gift. Ten dollars can be a lot of money for some people. Even a simple card is expensive. Now, if they want to have a shower and specify no gifts, I'm in. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a celebration in addition to the regular baby shower.

I realize what it is supposed to be but would think that for most people, those attending the regular shower would not be the same people attending this one.

As I said, ime, these were done by ladies in a Sunday class together or maybe ladies that work together or a group of friends.

And, as I said, if it got into being a big thing with invitations going to the mother to be and her friends and family that WOULD be invited to the regular shower, then that is something else entirely and not the right thing to do.

Again, no one is required to do anything. If $10 is too much and you would be embarrassed to go; then by all means don't go. One of the showers Mom attended was all children's books, many of which can be picked up for a lot less than $10.

These ladies know each other. They know if someone is having a hard time, and they let the person know that they are welcome and no gift is expected. That person may do more of the organizing or make the cake or clean up afterwards.

We have had showers at work (for the Mom or Dad to be) when I just didn't have much money to spare. A co-worker and I would go in together and get something even if we only put in a few dollars each.

If you have an issue with things like this, by all means, do not go to one. That doesn't make it wrong, just wrong for you.

I still don't think anyone is celebrating too much.

 

[kmb584]

I think a full blown party is overdoing it a bit just as I think having a full blown baby shower for baby #2+ is (a friend of mine is pregnant with baby #3 and I got an invitation in the mail yesterday for her 3rd baby shower..in 6 years.). A nice luncheon with friends to celebrate the grandbaby is another thing with a gift being optionable, no "registered at" on the invite and no rousing games of "sniff the diaper". A new life is meant to be and should be celebrated by all family members.