Spotlight stealing?

august06mom

I posted on the Baby Showers board asking if it's OK if I request to bring my impending newborn to a baby shower. One poster (and another agreed) said she wouldn't bring the baby because it would steal the mom-to-be's spotlight, and likened it to someone showing off a new engagment ring at a wedding.

Do people really worry about this past the age of 12? If someone had shown off their engagment ring at my wedding, I can't imagine being anything less than thrilled for that person.

juniper19

It depends on the type of person who the mom is.  I wouldn't be offended at all, but I could see that someone would be.  Do you know the guest of honor well enough to figure out how she would feel?

Melett

If it were my shower I wouldn't think twice about it..people are weird tho..I am the type tho that wouldn't care if people brought their toddler that was running all over either, some of my friends would hate that and be super uptight about it..

august06mom

I don't really know her that well. She's a family member, so it's kind of "required" that I go, but I don't know her well enough to know if she'd be offended. I guess I'm dense because it honeslty wouldn't have occurred to me. I just didn't want to be rude and bring an uninvited guest.

xbrooklyngrl

that is so ridiculous! I guess this is a good a time as any to teach a lesson that there will always be someone cuter, smarter, etc. LOL I think its OK but I'd check with whomever is throwing the shower.

meglew

A friend brought her 1 month old to my shower and it didn't bother me one bit.  I was glad she could come and that I got to see her baby. 

4Speedy

When I hear people make comments about stealling the spotlight from someone, it tells me more about their character than anyone else's.  Usually, they're the ones who are petty and jealous rather than the person we are speaking of.  And honestly, I have never understood this comment.  Maybe I just have exceptional friends but I am quite certain all of them are capable of being completely thrilled for me AND making googly eyes at a newborn at the same time.

mlm1128

Some people are ridiculous like that.  I have a family member that was actually pissed that someone else got pregnant at the same time because "they knew she was trying and it was her time". I would be announcing someone elses pregnancy at my own shower and be really happy about it.  You just never know. I would ask.

joy143dh

I wouldn't, but just because I would use it as an excuse to get out for a few hours without the infant.   If I didn't have the option to leave the baby with DH, I would just bring the kid.  What's the big deal?  Unless you are walking around parading your newborn to all the guests, it's probably going to sit in it's carseat and sleep.

I'm curious though.. Why are you asking?  What did you expect people to consider for a response to your question?

august06mom

I asked because I wasn't sure if a newborn fell into the "no kids at showers unless their name in on the invitation" rule. In my mind, they don't really because it's not like they take up a chair or a plate, but obviously not everyone agrees with me.

sweetie645

august06mom:

I asked because I wasn't sure if a newborn fell into the "no kids at showers unless their name in on the invitation" rule. In my mind, they don't really because it's not like they take up a chair or a plate, but obviously not everyone agrees with me.

I agree with you.  I didn't even ask permission when DS2 was tiny and I took him to a baby shower.  I was bfing and it was just easier to take him with.  No one thought twice about it.  

EastCoastBride

august06mom:

I don't really know her that well. She's a family member, so it's kind of "required" that I go,

Really?  I think 2 hours each way AND having a newborn are 2 more than reasonable enough excuses not to go.  As much as I feel the spotlight thing is ridiculous, I also find it ridiculous that anyone is ever "required" to go to a shower - even for family! 

peekaboo716

Ugh. Sadly, I know someone in my family if I had brought my newborn to her shower, I would have been banished from any other family function for months. Seriously. If it were my shower, I wouldn't care if you brought the newborn. Showers are so boring IMO, that a baby there would liven it up.

Zenya

EastCoastBride:

august06mom:

I don't really know her that well. She's a family member, so it's kind of "required" that I go,

Really?  I think 2 hours each way AND having a newborn are 2 more than reasonable enough excuses not to go.  As much as I feel the spotlight thing is ridiculous, I also find it ridiculous that anyone is ever "required" to go to a shower - even for family! 

yeah I just wouldn't go.  I don't know how new your newborn will be but who wants to deal with traveling 4 hours with a baby?  Eff that.  Send a nice gift and be done with it. 

Jodi&Joe

Unless it specifically says "no kids", then I would bring the baby.  If it says "no kids" then yes, that does include your newborn and it would be entirely RUDE to bring the baby with you.

FWIW, in my family/circle, kids are more than welcome at a BABY shower.  I mean, hello, you are celebrating having a kid.  The more the merrier.    And most times, kid girls go to bridal showers too.