Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Baby Showers

Sort:
12-07-2012 at 6:34 PM
brittartis...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-31-2010
4 Posts
162 Points
brittartist is not online. Last active: 04-14-2013, 11:14 PMNewbie

child free baby shower??

I'm only 11 weeks but this just occured to me... I don't want kids or babies at my baby shower.... :|

Is that even possible? We had a kid free wedding without apology haha- but can i dare ask for a kid-free baby shower? Please tell me people do this without being burned at the stake.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 6:42 PM
RoxyLynn
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-08-2004
5,272 Posts
4,128 Points
RoxyLynn is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 2:24 PMSilver
It's not only possible, it's pretty much routine in many parts of the country.
I think it can be done well, and I would have loved it, but taking all of the crappy parts of school away from a kid isn't good for them in the long run.

There are lessons like "Not everyone likes you" and "Some people are douche bags" that you don't learn without socializing in a large group of poorly supervised children.
Uncanny Canuck's thoughts on homeschooling 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 6:47 PM
RiverSong8...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-09-2012
2,095 Posts
34,579 Points
RiverSong82 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 3:45 PMSilver
Kids aren't usually at the showers I attend. I don't see it as being a problem. Your hostess can just let anyone who asks know that it is an adults-only event.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 7:03 PM
lisa5201
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-16-2008
Palm Beach
2,483 Posts
6,506 Points
lisa5201 is not online. Last active: 06-02-2013, 7:58 AMSilver

Pretty standard to not have kids, but I guess it would really depend on where your hosts stand on the issue. 

I did not want kids at my shower, my mom who threw the shower was 100% on the same page, but would have gone either way if I had a strong preference. 
Photobucket  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 7:03 PM
mabenner1
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-23-2008
8,114 Posts
64,415 Points
mabenner1 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 2:53 PMGold
Absolutely. Just make sure your host adresses the invites accordingly.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 7:04 PM
LatteLady5
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-06-2012
2,067 Posts
39,408 Points
LatteLady5 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 9:33 AMSilver

mabenner1:
Absolutely. Just make sure your host adresses the invites accordingly.

Yes this. There have been babies at every shower I've ever been to but if it said no babies on the invite I wouldn't think a thing of it.

Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Pregnancy tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 7:32 PM
Allycat11
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-19-2010
7,085 Posts
48,346 Points
Allycat11 is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 4:59 PMGold
Children are typically not invited to showers in my family.

Lilypie First Birthday tickers
11/2010- Diagnosed with PCOS
BFP #1 10/10/2011 EDD 6/19/2012; Natural M/C 10/31/2011 @ 8wks
BFP #2 5/10/2012 EDD 1/14/2013: Baby Girl born 1/12/2013 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 8:20 PM
laurakaz13
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-17-2008
North Carolina
5,454 Posts
13,890 Points
laurakaz13 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 5:38 AMSilver
I have never attended a shower that had kids and I wouldn't really be a fan of it either. 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-07-2012 at 11:50 PM
rhubarb123
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-03-2010
3,343 Posts
12,812 Points
rhubarb123 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 12:24 AMSilver

All the showers I've hosted have been kid-free (my choice since I never bothered to ask the MTB's).  My own showers were kid-free...although my cousin who was in town from across the country with her breastfeeding one month old brought him.  She never asked...but I wasn't about to turn her away at the door nor was my hostess - that would have been rude. 

I had a kid-free wedding/reception as well and they were WONDERFUL!  lol
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 5:16 AM
ungraceful...
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 05-21-2008
Northern Kentucky
15,424 Posts
41,206 Points
ungraceful13 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 2:30 PMPlatinum
Most showers don't have kids. So if you don't want them that is fine. My nephew was at both of mine but the first one only bc his mother was coming from a funeral and didn't have time to take him home. The second time only bc it was in his home. His dad took him out to play but had to come home near the end bc it was nap time. But I adore my nephew and he is really well behaved so that makes a difference.

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 8:54 AM
blush64
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-14-2009
3,304 Posts
22,706 Points
blush64 is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 5:02 PMSilver
lisa5201:

Pretty standard to not have kids, but I guess it would really depend on where your hosts stand on the issue. 

I did not want kids at my shower, my mom who threw the shower was 100% on the same page, but would have gone either way if I had a strong preference. 

Pretty standard would depend on who you are. I hadn't heard of a baby shower where kids wouldn't be invited until this website.

That being said, I think it's fine to not invite kids. Let your host know your feelings. 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 8:57 AM
KateMW
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 06-16-2008
Here...
14,015 Posts
156,084 Points
KateMW is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 4:11 PMGold
I've only been to one baby shower that had a kid at it and it was the MTB much older daughter.
Lilypie Pregnancy tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 9:49 AM
Joy2611
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-02-2009
6,904 Posts
55,283 Points
Joy2611 is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 4:49 PMGold
I've been to both baby showers and bridal showers that either had kids or did not.  It was entirely up to preference of the host and/or guest of honor.  Either is acceptable, just tell the host so.
** Your use of the apostrophe to pluralize words is making my eyes bleed. ** 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 11:23 AM
RoxyLynn
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-08-2004
5,272 Posts
4,128 Points
RoxyLynn is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 2:24 PMSilver
LatteLady5:

mabenner1:
Absolutely. Just make sure your host adresses the invites accordingly.

Yes this. There have been babies at every shower I've ever been to but if it said no babies on the invite I wouldn't think a thing of it.

Actually, an invitation shouldn't point out who isn't invited.  If it's just your name on the envelope, then only you are invited.  If the envelope is addressed to The Smith Family, then the whole family is welcome.
I think it can be done well, and I would have loved it, but taking all of the crappy parts of school away from a kid isn't good for them in the long run.

There are lessons like "Not everyone likes you" and "Some people are douche bags" that you don't learn without socializing in a large group of poorly supervised children.
Uncanny Canuck's thoughts on homeschooling 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-08-2012 at 12:37 PM
rhubarb123
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-03-2010
3,343 Posts
12,812 Points
rhubarb123 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 12:24 AMSilver
RoxyLynn:
LatteLady5:

mabenner1:
Absolutely. Just make sure your host adresses the invites accordingly.

Yes this. There have been babies at every shower I've ever been to but if it said no babies on the invite I wouldn't think a thing of it.

Actually, an invitation shouldn't point out who isn't invited.  If it's just your name on the envelope, then only you are invited.  If the envelope is addressed to The Smith Family, then the whole family is welcome.

I agree with Roxy...but unfortunately this isn't a perfect world and for many people it needs to be spelled out - "adults only".  Proper etiquette has basically gone out the window for a lot of people and they have no idea that just their name on the invite means just that.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-09-2012 at 1:10 AM
kaitylin
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-18-2008
California
1,854 Posts
1,295 Points
kaitylin is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 4:18 PMBronze
Ever shower I've been to has had kids... I'm shocked so many people on here say the opposite.There was one shower I went to (not a baby shower, a wedding shower) and they had hired someone to babysit in another room. I personally would probably have not gone to a shower when DD was under 1 if I couldn't have brought her. Now I'd leave her home but I definitely would have wanted to bring her when she was an infant - especially when she was breastfeeding. I would take into account the age of the kids of your guests... If they are babies I'd allow it for sure but if they are older then I think either way is fine. I see no problem with kids being there and I loved having my nieces at my shower! They were so excited and it made it so special!



Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-10-2012 at 7:36 AM
BLPL101
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-29-2011
4,565 Posts
44,457 Points
BLPL101 is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 4:53 PMSilver
I didn't have any kids/babies at my shower.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-11-2012 at 3:16 PM
coromble
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-13-2011
401 Posts
5,853 Points
coromble is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 1:51 PMNewbie

RiverSong82:
Kids aren't usually at the showers I attend. I don't see it as being a problem. Your hostess can just let anyone who asks know that it is an adults-only event.

Yep, I'd leave it to your hostess.  Although I can't even imagine people bringing their kids to a shower!  Honestly, I'm kind of dumbfounded because I don't think I've ever seen that happen.  I can completely understand not wanting kids there.  That's pretty ballsy of those people! 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-12-2012 at 8:25 PM
MCRM22011
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-23-2011
324 Posts
4,487 Points
MCRM22011 is not online. Last active: 03-25-2013, 1:21 PMNewbie
It's up to you. You may wind up alienating people. How many babies are in your circle right now? Is it a large number?
BFP on July 16!
BabyFruit Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 1:00 PM
bripratt2
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-16-2012
188 Posts
3,375 Points
bripratt2 is not online. Last active: 06-02-2013, 10:22 PMNewbie
The way I see it is its obviously up to you but I would first think of it like "how would I feel if I was in their situation" I was a single mom for a while and child care wasn't exactly financially possible or even reasonable with her nursing. That being said if someone was close enough to me to invite me to there shower I would probably be put off if they told me I couldn't bring DD. If you would find yourself feeling the same way I wouldnt expect that of my guests you know? On the contrary if its something that seems cool to you go for it.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board