Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Bring your toddler to baby shower?

What are your thoughts on this?

 My cousin's baby shower is Sunday. The invite was addressed to me, but knowing my circle, that means nothing. I told DH he's watching DD. It's at a clubhouse in their subdivision, and while I don't know if she was inviting DD or not, I'd rather not take her. I rarely get out of the house alone and chasing DD around a clubhouse with lots of people, food, decorations and gifts to tear up sounds like torture, not a fun time. My mom's griping that I should bring her, DH is whining about it, and I just told them both to shut up.

Have you or would you bring your kids to baby showers (assume they're invited)?

ETA: I would ask before bringing her, and I don't have any problem with kids at showers. I just know it would be more fun for me to get out alone!

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Re: Bring your toddler to baby shower?

  • I have, but I was throwing them. I always ask the hostest before I bring him along (if I wasn't throwing them). But like you said, I 'd rather not chase him around in  a area full of people and risk decoration destruction. 
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  • i brought timmy to one last week. i asked the hostess if it was baby friendly or if they'd prefer i make other arrangements. she said she meant to put any kids/babies welcome but forgot and to bring him. he was perfectly fine at the shower. also at mine someone brought their toddler. it didn't bother me at all. people at baby showers generally like little kids!
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  • I did take ds to one, and it was A LOT of chasing him around. I am going to one this weekend, and I probably would take him, but I guess it is at a specific facility where they do not allow children over one due to liability issues.... ( a "Women's Choice Center")

    Leave her home and have some fun!!

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  • I'm bringing both of my kids to SIL's shower (it's at my mom's house).  She wanted them there, my DH, dad and bro will be there, so they'll be watched while I stuff my face with cake and write down presents!

    I personally don't mind when kids are at a shower, but I know on here it's been seen as a no-no.  If the kids are too little, and you'll be running around after them all the time, I could see why leaving them with DH would be very appealing. 

  • I would only ask the person throwing the shower for permission to bring DC only if you wanted to bring DC. 

     

    And it sounds like you don't, and I don't blame you one bit.  

    Tell DH to suck it up and give you a few hours of freedom. 

  • If her name wasn't listed, I'd ask the host, and explain that I'd totally understand either way. But, from your side of things, I'd just go without her so that you can really enjoy yourself!
  • No, never.  I'm co-hosting a shower for my friend in November and she told me I could bring my DD and I said NO WAY.  I wouldn't have cared if someone brought a baby/kid to my shower as I'm not an "It's all about me" person, but I would never do that to someone else, nor would I want to have to be worrying about her when I want to have a good time.

    Forget about your mom, but sorry your DH is whining about it!

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  • i made the mistake of assuming i wasn't supposed to bring DS to my aunt's baby shower (didn't want to steal her thunder).  when i arrived, she asked where DS was bc she wanted to show him off to everyone.  i'll make sure to check with the host from now on....

  • My friends/family would invite me and expect me to bring Joseph. If it was something my mom and sisters would be at, too, then I would probably bring him. If not, I'd probably leave him with his dad, unless that wasn't an option. And my friends would be peeved if they didn't get to see him.
  • generally, i think babies and small children are okay at baby showers.

    if you want to go alone you should!!!

  • I got an invite to a baby shower (the wife of a friend of DH's) yesterday.  I am not taking Ben.  I am with him all day, all week long.  He's staying home with DH and I am enjoying some baby-free time out.  It never even occured to me to take him.  I wouldn't be able to sit still for a second and like you said, chasing him around with all those people, food, decorations, etc. is not my idea of a good time.  I can stay home and do that.

    I say tell your DH to suck it up and plan on spending the afternoon with his daughter.  You need and deserve a break!  :)

  • I have brought DS to a shower before. My nieces and a bunch of kids were all going to be there and I know my mom and family all wanted to see him and would help watch him too.

    However, given your situation and your DH's attitude (from previous posts). It's time for your DH to put on his big panties, be the dad and give you a little rest. You need some time away to relax a little.

    IF you change your mind and decide you want to bring DD, I would suggest making it conditional. DH would have to take DD for the same amount of time on Saturday while you leave for some "me" time. If you have nothing to do, just go to a coffee house and read a book. 

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  • I would see it as an opportunity to have some alone time, but that's because I get no alone time anymore, lol.

  • Assuming they are invited, I would only bring DD now if close family would be there. If my mom/aunt/grandma were going, they'd probably all want to see DD and they'd help watch her.  If not that many close family that could actually help me watch her were going, then no way I'd bring her.

    I brought DD to a baby shower when she was about 10 months old.  None of my family just some friends. What a PITA!!  She was crawling at that age and just wanted to get down and be mobile, but there wasn't anywhere I could let her do that.  I held her pretty much the whole time and tried to eat and feed her.  Seriously, it was bad!  But I was BFing at the time and I was going to be there a while. My supply was awful so I didn't want to leave her with DH and a bottle.  My friends helped a little, but it wasn't very fun for me.  I can only imagine how impossible it would be now that she wants to walk/run everywhere.  I'd only do it if my family really wanted to see her and could help!

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  • imageLoriFalce:
    My friends/family would invite me and expect me to bring Joseph. If it was something my mom and sisters would be at, too, then I would probably bring him. If not, I'd probably leave him with his dad, unless that wasn't an option. And my friends would be peeved if they didn't get to see him.

    Ditto this. If it is my family, DH's family or close friends, I am going to be expected to bring the kids. If not, I get the "why aren't they here...blah blah blah".

    If it was a co-worker or extended friend of the family (not very close with them) I would leave him at home.

    Also, this could all change depending on how I feel that day. LOL I don't mind bringing Chase places, but sometimes, I just want to go to a baby shower or girls party, sit there and stuff my face with food. Not chase after a toddler.

  • I wouldn't want to, I would want to enjoy the party and I know with ds being there I would be too distracted to have a good time.

    ETA: Tell dh to man up.  You deserve a day out ALONE.

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  • I would not take DS with me for many reasons. 1. I wouldn't want to spend the entire time chasing him around and causing a distraction. 2. I would like a little me time from time to time. 3. I wouldn't want to take away the spotlight from the guest of honor. Typically all focus should be on the mom to be and we all know how women can get around babies - I would feel like they'd be more into my kid than into the real reason we were there.
  • Among my family and friends it wouldn't be a big deal.  However, if DH were available I'd probably leave ds at home.

    I say go by yourself & have fun!

  • Tell DH to suck it and he is watching DD. Go and have a good time.
  • I prefer to leave DD with DH and go alone. I think that the baby shower should be about the mom & baby to be, not my child. Plus honestly, I have a better time and am able to chat with other guests and relax a bit - instead of chasing her around making sure she isn't destroying something.

     

     

  • I never bring DD to showers and events with guests of honor.  I just think babies take the focus off the occasion--and why wouldn't they?  Just so darn cute and doing cute stuff! (In the positive, in the negative, they can do things that are not so cute [8)]  )  At the last shower, the guest of honor had never met Georgia so I asked the hostess to ask her if she wanted to get together either before or after the shower since we were in from out of town.  We had brunch the next day and had an awesome time!
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