Such Thing as TOO Many Baby Showers?

Yes, I would feel a bit greedy having a shower for my fifth child. I have two children and refused offers of a shower for my second child. A shower is not meant to celebrate a new baby....it is to help a new mother get the things she needs to get started in motherhood.

Eh, I feel it's a to each their own thing. All you should do is either agree to help give it or decline. I don't see why people get so worked up about how many Baby Showers someone else has... I suppose that's just the cattiness of women... If you don't like it don't participate and don't gossip about it.

I am okay with going to shower after shower for a mama if the food served is good. LOL but its true. I see it as a girls day for laughs and girl talk. My gifts are always on sale so I don't care...

I just got invited to one for the 3rd boy (fourth child) and I had the same reaction as you. The youngest is only 2.5 yo so it's not like there's a large gap and they need to replace baby stuff. I'm just planning on getting a small lovey or something that would be his (and not a hand me down) and maybe some diapers/wipes. Not sure if this is tacky, but they literally have everything they need for another boy!

I think it's ridiculous.
You're gonna get a lot of "every baby deserves to be celebrated" responses and while that is certainly true--it's just tacky for "that celebration" to be a shower with invited guests feeling obligated to bring a gift.
The people that know and love her and her family are going to acknowledge this baby either way. All having a 5th (or 4th, or 3rd or, in our family 2nd) shower does is reflect poorly on the expectant mom. Definitely appears as a grab-for-gifts! It's the difference between graciously accepting gifts and appearing to "ask" for gift. And that's a big difference.

A "meet the baby" party HOSTED BY THE PARENTS is so much more tasteful AFTER the baby arrives, don't you agree?

If someone has offered to throw her a shower do not begrudge her one.

I was thrown multiple showers for both my babies. Friends and family were so insistent, that I felt it was almost as rude to refuse their generosity. I am sure some people may think it's bad etiquette of me for allowing the showers. But what's the saying? Don't hate the player, hate the game. lol
Besides, after 4 kids, I am sure some of her baby stuff has been through the ringer. If anything, I always give diapers. All babies need diapers.

Well... I had one shower before my first child arrived, and one before my second (of four babies). I didn't ask for either one. But I appreciated the generosity of my friends, as well as what I was given.

I think a shower of sorts can be done; it depends on what's needed and how it is done. If a friend of mine were having her fourth baby, I would ask her what she needed - perhaps it's time to replenish not only the diaper supply but other things which have worn out. Then I might organize a "restock" shower for the mama's needs - but, mostly, of course, just to party. And I might not call it a "shower."

You need to know, by the way, that a good friend and I have come to the momentous decision that every married woman needs another wedding shower near her twentieth anniversary - because the items she was supplied with before her marriage have all worn out or broken! (I hope you know that's just in fun.)

The second baby shower I was given - by a Bible study group - was a "nothing new" shower - everything was second-hand and in great condition. It's a good recycling idea!

Eh - I think it's OK to celebrate each baby's arrival. This child will get enough hand me downs as it is. Even if it's just a 'diaper' shower.
My friend has her 3rd baby last December. I couldn't attend the showers, but I really wanted to make sure that her 3rd baby got something from me.
Plus, someone offered to throw her a shower - it doesn't seem like she asked or expected one.

I don't think I could ACCEPT multiple showers! I mean, the point, I thought, was to help a NEW family with things they needed and to celebrate their new phase in life.

I'm not saying someone else couldn't do it, but it seems greedy to me. Plus, I think there's a very nice way to get family and or friends together for lunch to "celebrate", but not with gifts.

I guess I'm old fashioned. I think you get ONE time to have a wedding shower, baby shower, etc. I think if you have multiple marriages, babies, etc. you're on your own.

Just my 2 cents.

I thought the whole shower thing was silly for my first (and only). No way would I have one for a second child, certainly not for five. Why would you possibly expect people to set up your five kids for their first year of life?

It's called GREED....I think it's fine if you want to give a good friend or relative, a gift when yet ANOTHER child is born. As for the multiple showers, UNLESS, many years have elapst between babies, or unless, as you mentioned, after many/only boys or girls....it's called GREED. You a right on target.

Blessings...

My neighbor just had her SEVENTH baby in the fall. She had a shower for # 5, 6, and 7. I did not attend any of them as we do not get along...but I found it ridiculous. Especially since the last two are both girls and are only 18 months apart.

Yeah, I think there can be too many. I had a shower for my first a boy, but I declined to have a shower for my second a girl. I have been to showers for 2nd and 3rd babies and I usually go grudgingly and don't think it is very appropriate personally to expect people to bring you gifts for multiple kids, especially the way the economy is. I think you had the right idea of taking her out for a girls night!

I'd just take her out for lunch or dinner myself and decline the shower hosting. That's what you wanted anyway, and who doesn't like a meal out? Take her a small gift after her baby is born.

I have had four kids but not four baby showers. That said, I don't think it is wrong to have a baby shower for each child as it is really a welcoming party for the little one. It is more of a great reason to get together and oooh and awww over the new little one that is soon to arrive. Necessary? Nope. Fun for some? Yep. I didn't need it but to each their own I say. Keep in mind that you can always make an excuse not to attend.

Yikes - five baby showers is a bit much. I'm fine with a baby shower for the first baby, and then maybe a shower if there's a second baby that's the opposite sex. But after that... NO!

I had a shower for my first son. With my second son, I didn't have one, and didn't expect anyone to throw me one. My guys are only 18 months apart, and I felt like I didn't need much. After he was horn, my husbands amazing family threw me a surprise "sprinkle" with food and diapers and some clothes.

This time around, I have decided to have a shower if we are having a girl. I have no girl things, so a shower would he very helpful!

I think it is a bit much...okay, A LOT much! I am pregnant with my 4th, 5th if you count my stepson. I had a shower thrown for me for my first and it didn't even occur to me to have one for my second, as he was born just 12.5 mos after my first (and they were both boys). My neighbors insisted on having a sprinkle for my 3rd, but it was very small with only about 15 people who were very close friends. I have already had a friend approach me about a shower for this baby (finally a GIRL after 4 boys!! :) ), but I told her no. We do need new everything since we thought we were done and I got rid of everything, but I just can't justify another shower- I would feel guilty inviting anyone to it! Besides, I know close friends will buy little presents regardless of whether I have a shower or not (not that I in any way expect them to- but they are super excited that this one is a girl!). I think your friend needs to cool it with the showers.

From what I was taught, it is more "traditional" to have a baby shower with your first child. I am planning a surprise shower for my husbands neice, she is have baby #2, she didn't get to have one with her first because nobody had one for her. Also, awhile back a friend of mine turned one down when she was expecting her 2nd only because she already had one while she was pregnant with her 1st. I never had a baby shower, we have 3 children, what I did was after 2 wk's of giving birth we did a little get together at our house so that way everyone got to see the new bundle of joy...I like that idea much better!

This is why I'm planning an after-baby party (even though this is a boy and my first is a girl). If the purpose of the party is to really celebrate the new baby, then shouldn't it happen after the new baby has actually arrived?

If it's before, then the purpose, IMO, is to get prepared with stuff.

I have a friend who's having a second shower - second girl, only a little over 2 years apart. It struck me as really odd. This is the girl who didn't want a FIRST shower, and now she's having a second? My first thought was that it was her crazy MIL who just desperately wanted to throw a shower because she didn't throw the first one. Then, I got to thinking that this girl started going buying-crazy with her first and maybe she's more focused on the "getting" than she was last time. I don't know. I just don't really like them, myself.

That said, the after-baby party will hopefully allow anyone who WANTS to give something the opportunity to, it will allow me some rest without visitors after the baby comes, and it won't leave anyone feeling OBLIGATED to give something. I may do a registry just in case someone wants to get something and looks for one, but it'll mainly be for the coupons after (and for small things like new crib sheets and blankets).

My SIL had one for each baby, but the second was six years after the first, and the third was a girl (first two boys) three-four years after the second. It made more sense in those situations.

I had a couple of huge showers for my 1st...and for my second, nothing. I don't think it's necessary to have multiple baby showers unless the kids are many years apart and you have nothing left! I had a girl and then a boy fairly close together, so I actually needed a lot of stuff, but it never occurred to me to ask for a shower.

I have heard of close friends doing a "sprinkle"...treating new mama to lunch and giving small gifts. I guess it's all personal preference, but I think it's tacky to keep having them.

Shower for the first... "sprinkle" for subsequent cherubs. I had 3 big showers with my first and it was sweet but a lot! With this one my friends had a family pizza party and people brought small things. It was a surprise and fun. None of my friends have had showers for younger siblings- let's hope this trend doesn't catch on!

Yes, I do think its abnormal but in my neck of the woods/family its only common to have one baby shower whether boy or girl. I think diaper or sprinkle parties are kinda cool but not full out baby showers.

5th child? Good lord.. How many showers total?
Maybe if it was just a diaper shower. or diapers and clothing, but what could she need?

I guess if people are offering, it is up to her to decide, but I would be a bit burned out on a shower for her.

I too, would want to take her for a nice meal or a mani pedi.. or something other than a shower.

Wow, I think she has a case of the gimme's. Tacky and greedy to me.

I have 1 child and did not have 1 shower by choice. I never felt comfortable sending out invitations/"invoives" to acquaintainces to bring me gifts. That is just me, though. Close friends and family who knew we were expecting sent something here or there and it was truly appreciated.

What is she thinking? I would opt out of planning shower #5 because the people who continously get invitations/invoices from her will soon see her game and lose respect for her. I would not want to be associated with her type of behavior.....entitlement.

Maybe give her some birth control pills or a book that explains how pregnancy happens, LOL

A large shower for the first child only, in my opinion. I love the idea of a small get together where close friends and/or family can bring a small item or diapers or maybe going out for lunch with your best girlfriends or family. I'm pregnant with my third and only had showers where I registered for gifts with my first child. Some of my close girlfriends did have a little dinner and everyone brough a package of diapers with the second. Even though my first 2 are boys and now I'm having a girl, I do not expect anyone to give me another shower.

1st baby---full shower-everything including large ticket items-carseat,stroller etc.
2nd and there after: Sprinkle shower--- only smaller items or baby necessities like diapers, wipes, few clothes, small gifts etc.

Some people have a shower for each baby no matter what the gender of the baby. Others don't. Its up to you how involved you want to be. You can always say that you appreciate her thinking of you but you are going to have to pass on throwing the shower etc.