Shower/Sprinkle Question

sarahphoto · April 2011

Hello Ladies,

I have a question regarding showers for second children. My sister-in-law and several friends are excited to throw a shower for my pending second child, but I am wondering... is that appropriate? We don't really need much since they will be so close together, but I would love an excuse to get together with all the girls. Plus, Daddy likes an excuse for a day at the bar playing pool/darts with the boys. So, etiquette police, what is your take on showers for the second time around? Thanks!

jcyahne · April 2011

I told my friends that I didn't want to do anything especially because my two girls are only 18 months apart. They threw me a surprise get together at the Cheesecake Factory. It was basically a fun time. A few gals brought me some small gifts, but the invitation was very clear that gifts were in no way required.

blueLu25 · April 2011

I think around here 2nd showers are totally normal. I had a "sprinkle" for my second baby and it was really nice. It was a lot smaller than with our first, but fun. We didnt need much either- I've seen some good ideas where people just ask for diapers/ wipes or each person brings a book, or even a freezer meal. Have fun celebrating

tobykitty · April 2011

Just my 2 cents, but if your friends/ family want to have a party they should. It looks like you'll be having a little boy? If so might be nice to get some boy stuff. If you don't want to go the traditional gifts route you could always ask everyone to make a freezer meal for when the baby comes.

jcyahne · April 2011

I should add that I agree with the comment that second showers are pretty normal around here. They are usually smaller and/or gifts target things that are more useful like diapers, meals, etc. Clothes would also be super common if you are having a child of a different gender. I also had a friend who had a second child 14 years after her first. Obviously they needed a lot of stuff!

What bothers me is when people treat showers like a money grab or appear unnecessarily greedy. For example I attended both showers of a gal who had two boys two years apart. I was pretty disappointed to learn that she had actually registered for her second shower...and for many things that she should have had left over from her first like a bathtub. Needless to say, I made a knitted hat for the baby but I refused to buy anything off the registry. It just seemed tacky.

Showers are fun, but people should not have the expectation that the rest of the world is here to finance their baby.

zazzu · April 2011

A fabulous reason to get together! The book party, or freezer meals are good ideas. You could have a coed bbq too to celebrate.

MrsEditorJax · April 2011

I am pro-second shower. I feel that EVERY baby should be celebrated! I am helping throw two second-time mom showers in the next few months, and I am super excited.

MSTie24 · April 2011

MrsEditorJax:
I am pro-second shower. I feel that EVERY baby should be celebrated!

This too. If you were throwing it yourself I would give a side-eye, but I think it's great that you have folks wanting to shower your little man with his own boy gear. He might look a little funny in Emma's pink duds.

Bri&Shane_3/8/08 · April 2011

I believe every baby needs to be celebrated. With that said, if baby #2 would have been a boy I would have invited a LOT less people and probably would not have done a registry. But, the fact that she was a girl I had so many friends and family want to spoil her with pink GALORE! I had a very nice shower and was just as appreciative as #1.

mishquiche · April 2011

I am also in the every baby should be celebrated camp. Personally I think I would rather have something informal and/or co-ed, but there is also nothing wrong with having a more traditional shower. I threw one for my BFF for her second little boy.

Both my SILs had one for their second babies, although I have to admit I side-eyed the fact that one of them set up and advertised her registry even though she was having another boy.

keri1013 · April 2011

MrsEditorJax:
I am pro-second shower. I feel that EVERY baby should be celebrated!

Ditto this! I am blessed to have great friends throwing me a sprinkle for this baby and I can't wait to have a special day to celebrate her. I did set up a registry on Amazon just because some people at work and out-of-town friends had asked about it. We'll of course need diapers but also things like mattress pads for the second crib, another monitor, etc. But by no means would I be upset if people didn't bring a gift or expect that they should buy off the registry.

I love attending sprinkles/showers for second babies and am all for it!

Kglan · April 2011

I just went to a blessingway ceremony this weekend. It is a great alt to a baby shower. It was all about celebrating the mom and how much she means to each of us and to offer her support in the last month of pregnancy and beyond. It was so touching and awesome. I want one of these for our second. If you google it, we did the beads and made the necklace right there, shared some poems, and it was potluck style.

doublem · April 2011

MrsEditorJax:
I am pro-second shower. I feel that EVERY baby should be celebrated!

Same here! I'm helping to throw a shower/sprinkle for one of my friends in a few weeks who just had her 2nd baby.

At my church we have a shower for every baby, whether it's the first or the fifth. I think we all like an excuse to have some cupcakes and girl time. The older women usually expect/beg people to register, so some women end up registering just for diapers and wipes.

braveangel2 · April 2011

I don't think you'll get the smack down here - I've seen people do sprinkles, and it's more like getting together with people before you're doing the newborn phase again and you won't have as much social time. I'm always happy to attend one, and I just ask if there's going to be one because odds are I'm getting something for the new baby/mom-to-be and having a party just means I have a special place to give it.

A friend of mine is hosting a sprinkle for me, and I'm so excited - I love any excuse to have a party really, but it's going to be awesome to see people before the big day. I don't expect anything, but a few family members are giving items anyway...sprinkle or not.

sarahphoto · April 2011

doublem:
I think we all like an excuse to have some cupcakes and girl time.

There just aren't enough excuses for cupcakes! Thank you everyone for your input. I feel much better about it.

sarahphoto · April 2011

doublem:
I think we all like an excuse to have some cupcakes and girl time.

There just aren't enough excuses for cupcakes! Thank you everyone for your input. I feel much better about it.

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