37 answers

Baby Shower Drama

ok so my mom and sister in law are planning a baby shower for me and they tell me what they are planning and since i know about it i have told them things that i want. well............ it kind of feels like they are completely ignoring me and every request that i have made witch is making me a little upset because this is my first baby im not planning on having anymore for a long time and it seems as if they are planning the baby shower that they would want for themselves (my sister in law doesnt have any kids and my mom never had one thrown for her) so i kind of feel like there just using me as the excuse for the shower and are really throwing it for themselves i am getting very stressed out over it and im getting to the point where i want to tell them to forget it because i dont want the shower anymore every suggestion that i have made to them are things that would save them a lot of money and sound a lot more reasonabe but go along with who i am and what i enjoy i have even offered to help cook for the shower and even buy the food i am planning on cooking because it makes more sense than the plan they have which is to have it catered i dont want the baby shower to be a huge thing at all and they dont want to listen ive tried talking to my mom many times about this and she just ignores everything i say i am running out of ideas and need advise ......please help

2 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

More Answers

Dispite the fact that you are my cousin and have already given you advice on this I will answer this like I would a stranger... :)

I think you should write a letter to your mom and your sis-n-law. Tell them exactly the same thing..how you feel , what you want and expect for your FIRST baby. Then you should make a suggestion on the theme of the shower or a place you'd like to have it at. If they do not respond to you with some type of middle ground then you can expect them to not listen to what you would like.
Tell them not to invite you to THEIR shower. You and me can plan one for half the cash and you'll get what you want.
love you
it'll be ok! trust me!

2 moms found this helpful

Congratulations S.! Having your first (maybe only, it's up to you) is exciting and nerve wracking for sure. It sounds like your Mom & sister-in-law are trying to throw you a party. Let it be. It's a gift. It may not be the party you would plan for yourself but you aren't hosting it. If you are able, register at Babies R Us so people know what you want for your baby. I have three of my own and have been to enough baby showers to make your head spin. Baby showers are celebrations, please just go as the guest of honor and look at every gift as something you didn't have when you woke up that morning.
If the hostess (your mom & sil) want a fully catered affair with doves released as you enter and two foot high flower arrangements at each table, take pictures! There are times when it's important to be a gracious receiver, this is one of them. Give them a list of your friends with addresses, tell them how excited you are for this party but you would like all details from here on kept secret so as not to ruin your surprise. Take yourself out of the equation, remove yourself from the drama, so you can just enjoy the party.
When the baby is born you are going to have to much more to worry about, don't take on any added stress now.
Good luck, please enjoy your party!

2 moms found this helpful

Try and let them have their fun and look at it like that, you shoudl not miss out on a shower..but they are being the babies about it! lol Let them do it and try and enjoy it in your own way..they may feel they have missed out and want to this..but in the end the shower is to help you with presents for the baby and everyone showering you with love.

Step back and be the grown up here..I know it is hard but at least it is not your wedding they are taking over ;-)

2 moms found this helpful

I can so relate with you, my own wedding was the same way. my very controling Mother-in-law wanted every thing her way(not having had a wedding of her own) I had to step back while a baby shower is so diffrent with family the same way to handle these things are about the same. Is there a relative you could go to that your Mother would respect and be willing to listen to you could tell them to also some of your wishes for the shower and advocate gently remind them who this shower is for maybe, a Grandmother,your Dad maybe your husband or mother-in-law. It sounds like you will have to go along with some of their ideas I wouldn't worry about $ it sounds like
they are willing to pay the bill you are not the one
spending thier money. This is a joyous time others want to join in with your happiness,enjoy the day above all let them know you do not want anymore details about the shower you really want somethings to be a surprise,sit back relax and go enjoy the party,remember (hopefully all they are doing is because they love you and this new life your bringing in the world)May God bless you with health,happiness and a life time of love to you your baby and all who share your life.

2 moms found this helpful

S.,
This is a hard one for me to answer... because I have 2 babies and no one cared enough to do a baby shower for either of my children. I even got invited to one for a lady in our church that was due after me and got to sit through an uncomfortable 2 hours of watching everyone dote on her and not care that I was having a baby. I was very hurt by this and many ill formed comments that were made towards me.

Having a new baby should be a very joyous occassion. Babies are such a wonderful blessing.

Both not having a baby shower, and getting one you don't want can make for very difficult situations.

Keep in mind that your family wants the shower to be very special because they do care about you. They are trying to dote attention on you. For you, it is uncomfortable because they seem to be ignoring your requests. Try sitting them down and having a discussion with them. Explain to them that you appreciate that they are doing this for you, but that since they told you about the shower you thought they wanted to know what you wanted for the shower and they seem to be ignoring your requests.

Also keep in mind a few other things... it is a highly emotional time for you and that everyone does things a bit differently. If they are doing this for you because they care for you they will listen to your concerns. You will also need to listen to their concerns as well. Perhaps they want it catered so you don't need to do any work. (The mother to be should be pampered at the shower!). If cooking is something you find relaxing and enjoyable, then express that to them.

They probably do not realize how you are feeling right now, so a good conversation will help alleviate much of the stress involved :).

2 moms found this helpful

Hi Stepahnie,

I can't offer you any advice except because I'm going through a similar situation! But I do think it's fairly normal -- although extremely frustrating! It seems as though people who are supposedly doing something for *you* ought to listen to what you want, no?

Just so you don't feel alone, here's a bit about my situation: this is my first child as well and possibly my only one since I'm 34. I'm very excited, but my mom has not offered to throw me a shower, nor has she visited me since learning I was pregnant five months ago. My step-mother, is eager to come to my shower, but she is quite an overpowering woman and inists she knows exactly what we need -- which is old, cobwebby furntiture from her basement and an umbrella stroller (though we tell her an infant cannot ride in an umbrella stroller and we really need a carrier.) Then there's my best friend, who volunteered to throw the shower, but will only do a small, traditional, American shower at her apartment. Since the dad is French, we need a French-American, untraditional shower, that is a little larger and more relaxed. She's told me no. So, I may be throwing my own shower!

My conclusion is: life is messy! People mean well, but sometimes can't relate to what you need. Keep trying to tell them what you want and how important it is to you. But if you aren't heard and can't express your tastes and preferences at your own shower, there will be other chances -- like, your baby's first birthday party -- or when you plan a party for your mom or sister-in-law! ;-)

Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful

oh, S., i was in your exact same boat!!
I was so stressing out about my showers ( i had 2, and knew about both of them). Looking back, I realize that that is the silliest thing that we could do. The pregnancy, and your health are your main concerns, let the shower be theirs. I am a bit of a control freak (as you may be yourself) and it was driving me crazy that I wasn't able to get what I wanted. But we should just be happy that we have people who love us and are willing to go to such, albeit extravagant, measures. If it seems like they are throwing a shower they would have wanted - let them! They should get pleasure out of it as well. It is probably their ultimate display of generosity. It seems like a big deal now, but trust me, once you get all those gifts, and see how much you not only use them, but need them, you'll just be so thankful that you had any kind of shower. Sit back and enjoy this awesome time in your life, no worries baby. Good luck with everything!

2 moms found this helpful

This can definitely be a stressful time, but my advice is to try to relax and enjoy the shower. Rather than stress out, if they really want to do this up and won't listen to you, then worrying about it can do you no good. Remember that other people want to share in the joy of your precious expected arrival! And, you will get all the gifts of much-needed items!! This is all for your little girl, Audrina. She deserves it, and by the time she makes her appearance in the world, whether you loved or hated your baby shower will all be a distant memory!!

2 moms found this helpful

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.