What's your take on Grandmother showers?

xoxoLLL

My MIL just informed me that her friends are throwing her one.  I wasn't quite sure how to respond. 

RoxyLynn

I think they're ridiculous.

krissyh21

I think it is kind of fun that her friends are sharing in her joy that she is becoming a grandmother. It does not affect you in the least, so let her and her friends have some fun with it!

EastCoastBride

While I think they are ridiculous too, at the same time, it really doesn't have any affect on you.  Roll your eyes privately and let her have her fun.

mysticporter

I think it depends on how it's done how appropriate it is.  If it's some big mega affair inviting everyone the grandmother knows (trending like a first baby shower for a mom), I think it's ridiculous and AWish.  If it's a small get-together of close friends who are all pitching in to have a little party to celebrate the new grandma, I think it's fine.  My mother's work friends did one, and my MIL's friends did a small one, as well...neither had decorations or even invitations, there wasn't even a real 'host' since the fewer than a dozen people involved were all in on it as a potluck, and there was no expectation of expensive gifts (most people bought a book for the grandma to read to LO, or an outfit).  It was just a chance for them to be honored as new grandma's, and I think that's great.

RachandJer

krissyh21:

I think it is kind of fun that her friends are sharing in her joy that she is becoming a grandmother. It does not affect you in the least, so let her and her friends have some fun with it!

I agree.

scubaspot

I think that they are ridicules. The idea of a shower is to shower the mommy to be with the things that she needs for her LO. What exactly is it that a grandmother needs? Nothing. I think that a Grandmother shower is just another excuse for moms to be crazy and delusional.

jiffy-pop

We threw one for our boss. Grandma will need things like a PNP, diapers, wipes, toys, clothes. Especially if LO will be visiting GM often.

jcmayhew

EastCoastBride:

While I think they are ridiculous too, at the same time, it really doesn't have any affect on you.  Roll your eyes privately and let her have her fun.

THIS!!  I tend to think as long as it doesn't reflect on you and ppl aren't feeling forced into multiple gifts I wouldn't worry about it.

Spacebunny19

Never heard of one.  Some showers I've been to, there have been a some folks who have bought something sweet and small for the grandma-to-be, and I think that's appropriate.  A full on shower seems ridiculous.  But, if it's a get together, esp. maybe something hosted by the grandma herself and without gifts, just celebrating "becoming a grandma," that seems ok, and a fun way for the older ladies to celebrate.  I just assume for me, that if someone throws me a shower and asks me about who I want to invite, I would include my mother's closest friends too, so they can participate.  (The ones I know, anyway.  Some of them are practically family.)  Bridal shower was the same way--those ladies were there.

ucdeidre

I agree with most posters that they're pretty eye-rolling inducing.  But on the bright side...at least she'll have some up-to-date stuff.  So you won't have to worry about your kid sleeping in your husband's 30 year old unsafe playpen while visiting grandma!

xoxoLLL

 We live approx. three hours away from them and DH and I haven't been to visit them at their home in nearly two years.  They either come visit us here or we see them about three times a year at their beach house, so it's not like baby will be staying over at Grandma's.  She even added in "so if there's anything y'all need..."  Well yea!  WE need everything and that's why we registered.  Like pp said what does she need?  I just hope I'm not duped into attending this thing. 

kiyote72

have never heard of one...is this a regional thing? 

Spacebunny19

oh...i totally would assume it's just for the G-2-B and her friends, not you to go to.  That'd be weird.  Like, hi, it's really about YOU giving birth, but let's have a party for your DH's mom, because...why? 

I know that my mom did buy stuff for her house for my niece to be in--a high chair, some toys, etc.  Not too much--and since she's the grandma, she bought it herself, as part of "spoiling the grandchild."  Nobody bought her the stuff.  Having a shower and giving the grandmother anything beyond a picture album or a bib (and lots of well wishes) seems really weird to me. 

jolibebe

xoxoLLL:

 We live approx. three hours away from them and DH and I haven't been to visit them at their home in nearly two years.  They either come visit us here or we see them about three times a year at their beach house, so it's not like baby will be staying over at Grandma's.  She even added in "so if there's anything y'all need..."  Well yea!  WE need everything and that's why we registered.  Like pp said what does she need?  I just hope I'm not duped into attending this thing. 

I think it's weird and would make me feel awkward.  YOU and your DH are the one's having the baby.  Can't her friends get together for something and send YOU gifts off your registry if there are gifts involved?  I wouldn't attend her shower.  How weird would it be for you to sit on the side and watch her get all the attention etc when you are the pg one?  Doesn't seem right.

mysticporter

xoxoLLL:

 We live approx. three hours away from them and DH and I haven't been to visit them at their home in nearly two years.  They either come visit us here or we see them about three times a year at their beach house, so it's not like baby will be staying over at Grandma's.  She even added in "so if there's anything y'all need..."  Well yea!  WE need everything and that's why we registered.  Like pp said what does she need?  I just hope I'm not duped into attending this thing. 

I don't get the "so if there's anything you need" comment.  Like I said, the showers that were done for my mother and MIL (who live out of state, which I think is part of the reason their close friends wanted to do something, since they wouldn't be able to attend my shower and weren't able to be as engaged in the 'baby excitement') were very small, no registry or anything like that.  Most people just gave a book or an outfit, and the grandmother's passed them along to us.  I wouldn't expect that you would attend, that seems weird.

ctana

I never heard of such a thing. 

When will the gravy train of showers end? It's so out of hand. Since when is it the responsibility of others to outfit the grandmother's house with necessities?  It's not even the responsibility of others to outfit the PARENTS house with necessities.  IF the grandmother needs stuff to take care of junior that is what a good consignment shop is for.  Please people, we have got to stop this craziness.

northtamarack

 

kiyote72:

have never heard of one...is this a regional thing? 

Glad to know that I am not the only one who has never heard of this!

aah62709

Hmmmm I am not praying my MIL and her friends never heard of such a thing just like I hadnt.  My MIL would have one for sure, because this pregnancy is all about her(so she thinks).  She even told me that she may just buy some clothes she likes so she can change baby when she babysits since I wont let her wear something covered in lace and ruffles.  Good Luck with this!