Baby showers are a great way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a new life. That is clearly obvious. Why else would women get together and “take” another woman with gifts (other than, of course, a bachelorette party)? They have been a tradition for many years and serve as a very useful event for new parents – they help prepare for the new baby.
Is it appropriate to have a second baby shower?
Some people will say no, and some will say yes. I say yes, absolutely, positively yes. However, I have some restrictions with my opinion. Here’s my take on the whole thing:
Having a child is not cheap. Heck, living ain’t cheap. Baby showers offer new parents a leg up on the financial strap the children will ultimately incur. Before anyone gets upset with that last comment, take it with a grain of salt. I have 4 children myself and I would never trade it for the world. But the fact is… they ruin me financially every day. It is what it is.
When is it appropriate to take a second shower?
- If there is a large gap of many years spread between the children, the last born child is old enough that there are currently no more baby items anywhere in the house.
- When a mother is going to have twins. She may or may not have baby things left over from her first child, but chances are she doesn’t have two of anything.
- If the baby is of the other sex.
When it is NOT appropriate to take a second shower
- When you’re being selfish and only want one because… well, you don’t have a real reason.
- When you are going to put unnecessary stress on your friends and family. If you really want one, host it yourself!
- When you literally just had a baby and already have everything you need.
I realize the above list is not inclusive and could be taken in many different ways. There are times when a second shower is in order. I had a baby shower for my first baby and then had another baby 15 months after she was born. I did not have a shower for my second daughter. She already had everything she needed. She helped me have 2 girls back to back. Then I got pregnant a few years later when my youngest was 3 1/2. I went back and forth between whether or not I should take a second shower because
A – This time I was going to have a boy
B – I still had some things from when the girls were babies that I could use
I ultimately ended up not having a second one, and the reason was my own personal reasoning. I just didn’t want to go anywhere and be social. I had a very hard pregnancy and I never felt like doing anything.
That was it. Plain and simple.
However… I COULD have had a second shower and it would have been completely acceptable.
If you’re hemmin and hawwin about whether or not you should have another baby shower for a boy other than your first, hopefully this gave you a few more things to talk about. Although in a good way. In the end, do what’s right for you, your child, and your family. That’s all that matters.