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12-16-2012 at 3:18 PM
nola78
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Appropriate shower "gift request"?

This is my second pregnancy; my first ended in a loss at 21 weeks due to PTL.  My mother was planning to throw me a shower (mostly family guests) for that pregnancy, but clearly that never happened.  She's offered to throw me a shower for this pregnancy and I've been hesitant to accept due to what happened last time.  This pregnancy has been going well but DH and I haven't been able to enjoy or celebrate much of it due to worry about another loss.  For this reason, I'd like to take my mom up on her offer when I'm further along -- I'd like to be able to celebrate the pregnancy with my family and close friends since we've enjoyed so little of it thus far.

Here's my question:

DH and I never really thought we'd want a shower this time around and (regardless of the shower) fully planned to buy everything for the baby ourselves. I don't care about receiving gifts, but I do understand that this is the definition of a shower.  I'm much more looking forward to being with my whole family and being excited about this pregnancy.  Would it be too weird (morbid? inappropriate?) to offer that guests can make a charitable donation to the charity of their choice in our son's memory instead of purchasing a gift?

Thanks for the feedback!   



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BFP #1: 1/10/12; EDD: 9/20/12, born too early on 5/7/12 (20w4d) due to IC/PTL/chorioamnionitis.
BFP #2: 8/30/12; EDD: 5/9/13, emergency cerclage placed at 22w5d, dx cardiomyopathy, strict bed rest for 14 weeks. DD born at 39 weeks.


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12-16-2012 at 3:26 PM
jeffsjayme
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A meet the baby might be a great option for you if you really just want to celebrate and are willing to do so after the baby is born.

I do think it's weird to suggest a donation instead of a gift.  It's nice that you'd let them choose their own charity, but really, it's kind of telling them what to do with their money.

I'd either:

-Do a Meet the Baby party instead.

-Have a normal shower later in your pregnancy - 32 weeks or so - when you're more confident in your pregnancy.  Whatever gifts you get, well, great!  Get something you just won't use?  Donate it to one of those charities.  You aren't obligated to keep it.  


 
12-16-2012 at 3:43 PM
nola78
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jeffsjayme:

A meet the baby might be a great option for you if you really just want to celebrate and are willing to do so after the baby is born.

I do think it's weird to suggest a donation instead of a gift.  It's nice that you'd let them choose their own charity, but really, it's kind of telling them what to do with their money.

I'd either:

-Do a Meet the Baby party instead.

-Have a normal shower later in your pregnancy - 32 weeks or so - when you're more confident in your pregnancy.  Whatever gifts you get, well, great!  Get something you just won't use?  Donate it to one of those charities.  You aren't obligated to keep it.  

Thank you for your reply.  The thought that people may think this is me telling them how to spend their money seriously makes me cringe.  If that's the case, then I definitely won't say anything about the option of a charitable donation in lieu of a gift.  

I'm not really all that keen on the thought of a meet the baby party, but I can't exactly put my finger on why that is.  Maybe it's because my family lives a couple of hours away and I'm not sure how I'll feel about traveling with a newborn.  That's probably just me being silly and overly protective, though.   


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BFP #1: 1/10/12; EDD: 9/20/12, born too early on 5/7/12 (20w4d) due to IC/PTL/chorioamnionitis.
BFP #2: 8/30/12; EDD: 5/9/13, emergency cerclage placed at 22w5d, dx cardiomyopathy, strict bed rest for 14 weeks. DD born at 39 weeks.


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12-16-2012 at 3:59 PM
SingleMom3...
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I agree with the PP. I think that your heart is in the right place, but I think it would be a bit morbid to make a donation in the memory of your son as a way to celebrate your new baby. Seems like a later shower maybe sometime in your 8th month when s/he'd be okay if you delivered then... Or some other point when you feel ready to celebrate might be the way to go if you get things you can't use, I agree that you can either exchange them or donate them.

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12-16-2012 at 4:02 PM
RoxyLynn
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I understand where you're coming from, but I agree that it would be terribly uncomfortable to request memorial donations at an event that is supposed to be solely about a new life coming into the world.


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.
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12-16-2012 at 4:09 PM
nola78
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RoxyLynn:

I understand where you're coming from, but I agree that it would be terribly uncomfortable to request memorial donations at an event that is supposed to be solely about a new life coming into the world.

Good point.  I didn't think about it this way, and you stating it like this makes it clear.  Thank you!

I feel like I just have such a different perspective on it all this time around and am having a hard time wrapping my head around people giving me gifts for a baby when all I really want is the actual baby.   


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BFP #1: 1/10/12; EDD: 9/20/12, born too early on 5/7/12 (20w4d) due to IC/PTL/chorioamnionitis.
BFP #2: 8/30/12; EDD: 5/9/13, emergency cerclage placed at 22w5d, dx cardiomyopathy, strict bed rest for 14 weeks. DD born at 39 weeks.


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12-16-2012 at 4:25 PM
FemShep
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I'm so sorry for your loss.

You don't need to have a shower, and it's perfectly fine to decline one, even though your family is very kind for offering.  I'm sure, given the circumstances, your mom will understand.

For a meet the baby party, I understand why you may not want to travel with a newborn; is there any chance your family may want to come to you?  If not, no big deal.   

It's likely that your family will want to give you gifts to recognize your new baby's birth; why not skip the shower (or have a late one as others have suggested), and have your mom discreetly tell anyone who asks where you're registered?  

Hugs to you. 


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12-16-2012 at 4:26 PM
jeffsjayme
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nola78:
jeffsjayme:

A meet the baby might be a great option for you if you really just want to celebrate and are willing to do so after the baby is born.

I do think it's weird to suggest a donation instead of a gift.  It's nice that you'd let them choose their own charity, but really, it's kind of telling them what to do with their money.

I'd either:

-Do a Meet the Baby party instead.

-Have a normal shower later in your pregnancy - 32 weeks or so - when you're more confident in your pregnancy.  Whatever gifts you get, well, great!  Get something you just won't use?  Donate it to one of those charities.  You aren't obligated to keep it.  

Thank you for your reply.  The thought that people may think this is me telling them how to spend their money seriously makes me cringe.  If that's the case, then I definitely won't say anything about the option of a charitable donation in lieu of a gift.  

I'm not really all that keen on the thought of a meet the baby party, but I can't exactly put my finger on why that is.  Maybe it's because my family lives a couple of hours away and I'm not sure how I'll feel about traveling with a newborn.  That's probably just me being silly and overly protective, though.   

Have the party where you live.  If their close enough family to travel when the baby's born, then they'll travel for the party.  Otherwise, when the baby is a few months older and you're going to visit family anyway, host a BBQ - nothing official, just a BBQ or something so that people can meet the baby. 


 
12-16-2012 at 4:57 PM
PrimRoseMa...
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I think perhaps a Meet The Baby Party would better suit your needs. I'm sorry for your loss, but congratulations on your new baby.

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12-16-2012 at 5:25 PM
Cranang
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I have some experience with this (see siggy).  I gave away all of my things to charity after the birth of my first daughter.  My friends insisted on throwing me a shower for my second baby.  I wasn't really comfortable with it, but we kept it very small.  I got some things I needed and I got to celebrate my becoming a mother (again).  People want to buy you things for this baby...let them.  It will heal everyone. 

I think it's admirable what you want but let people buy presents for this baby...:-)


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12-16-2012 at 5:51 PM
nola78
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Cranang:
I have some experience with this see siggy.nbsp; I gave away all of my things to charity after the birth of my first daughter.nbsp; My friends insisted on throwing me a shower for my second baby.nbsp; I wasn't really comfortable with it, but we kept it very small.nbsp; I got some things I needed and I got to celebrate my becoming a mother again.nbsp; People want to buy you things for this baby...let them.nbsp; It will heal everyone.nbsp;
I think it's admirable what you want but let people buy presents for this baby...:
Thank you for your response and perspective. nbsp;It's really helpful although I hate that you have experience with this. nbsp;I'm so sorry for your loss. nbsp;I think that keeping it really small is a great suggestion. nbsp;You saying that it will be healing for everyone really resonates with me. nbsp;

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BFP #1: 1/10/12; EDD: 9/20/12, born too early on 5/7/12 (20w4d) due to IC/PTL/chorioamnionitis.
BFP #2: 8/30/12; EDD: 5/9/13, emergency cerclage placed at 22w5d, dx cardiomyopathy, strict bed rest for 14 weeks. DD born at 39 weeks.


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12-16-2012 at 5:58 PM
EastCoastB...
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Another perspective- a shower isn't normally held until at least 30 weeks and often around 36 weeks or so.  There is no reason you can't simply hold off on a shower and the talk and planning of a shower until much further along.  I'm sure your mom has grand ideas, but reality is a shower doesn't need to take THAT long to plan/ throw together.  You can easily wait until at least 30 weeks to even start talking about specific plans.  If that would make you more comfortable.

 But if not- a meet the baby party is absolutely fine too!


"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
~Benjamin Franklin

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12-16-2012 at 8:17 PM
Nicolewins...
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I don't have any advice (although I like Cranag's reply), but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for the loss of your son and I very much hope that this pregnancy is long and uneventful.

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12-17-2012 at 8:53 AM
526SadieSa...
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RoxyLynn:

I understand where you're coming from, but I agree that it would be terribly uncomfortable to request memorial donations at an event that is supposed to be solely about a new life coming into the world.

This is how I feel about it, too.

I completely understand your hesitation about having a shower.  I think a Meet the Baby Party would be a better option for you.


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12-17-2012 at 9:48 AM
myprecious...
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RoxyLynn:

I understand where you're coming from, but I agree that it would be terribly uncomfortable to request memorial donations at an event that is supposed to be solely about a new life coming into the world.

Well said RoxyLynn


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12-17-2012 at 11:07 AM
Adam&Eve2
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jeffsjayme:

A meet the baby might be a great option for you if you really just want to celebrate and are willing to do so after the baby is born.

I do think it's weird to suggest a donation instead of a gift.  It's nice that you'd let them choose their own charity, but really, it's kind of telling them what to do with their money.

I'd either:

-Do a Meet the Baby party instead.

-Have a normal shower later in your pregnancy - 32 weeks or so - when you're more confident in your pregnancy.  Whatever gifts you get, well, great!  Get something you just won't use?  Donate it to one of those charities.  You aren't obligated to keep it.  

This all the way! 





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12-17-2012 at 12:08 PM
ggatlanta
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Another vote for "donate unneeded items to a children's charity". Have the shower if you want - but anything duplicate or unnecessary can go to help the less fortunate.



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12-18-2012 at 3:40 PM
javagrl
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I am in somewhat the same situation as you- my first daughter was born at 20 weeks, and unfortunately it was due to a condition I have which causes problems in all pregnancies, so this time I have been on bed rest since 23 weeks.  It has been hard for us to celebrate this pregnancy or baby although we so badly want to. 

We are going to have a shower after the baby is born (I know people say this is called a Meet the Baby party, but I am saying it is a shower, because it will be exactly like it would be before the baby was born.  In fact, I may not even bring the baby- we'll see).  It will be given by some of our friends who understand.  It won't be huge, and yes, we are buying all the necessities for our baby ourselves before he is born (we have most of them already).  Due to our fears and my difficulties being on bed rest, we haven't felt comfortable having a shower until recently, and now it is too busy with the holidays for our friends who offered to host.

I love your idea to honor your son, but I agree with other posters that this isn't necessarily the way to do it and that you should celebrate this baby.  What my husband and I did to honor our daughter is we started a charity drive every November in her memory- we gave suggested causes to give to but obviously appreciated any donation anywhere.  This was our first year without her but we will be running it every November for the entire month, as her birthday is the 30th.  We raised over $2000 for worthy causes this year!  Also we started a scholarship in her memory at the high school we both went to for a student going into nursing.  Just a few ideas for you- and I am so sorry for your loss.  I know how hard it is.


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12-19-2012 at 2:25 PM
highlights
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I would decline a shower and instead wait until after the baby is born to plan a Sip and See. Or decline all together.

 I think your heart is in the right place with the charitable donations, but I think it is a little but odd to make donations in your son's name, when the party is supposed to be honoring his sibling.

Lots of hugs to you!


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12-22-2012 at 11:28 PM
Bride-hild...
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I think you're a very generous and loving person, and I think you should just let people throw you a shower and give you and your baby gifts.

What I've learned from shower receiving, is that it makes people feel good to be able to give. While giving to a charity is awesome as well, people might just feel inclined every now and then to give to YOU. It's a way to show love for you, and your new baby, and that's okay.

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