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01-19-2013 at 3:30 PM
dreadiemam...
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dreadiemama is not online. Last active: 05-11-2013, 8:38 AMBronze

Denying baby shower suggestions

Is there a polite way to decline and/or be specific about baby shower suggestions? My SIL wants to throw me a shower and I really appreciate it and (honestly) I would like a shower but I have an issue with the location. I don't know if this is bratty or not but I would assume it would be somewhere near me.

When I was talking to my brother earlier he said that SIL wants to throw me a shower in Columbus (4 hours away from my home) or Cleveland (1 hour away.) I kind of blew it off saying that my sister mentioned something a few weeks ago about throwing a shower and to call her about it. I'm assuming they are going to collaborate on it, since another SIL mentioned something about "all the girls getting together to throw a shower." 

Beyond maybe a text here or a 5 minute conversation with my sister when she originally offered not much has been said about it. I don't want to come off as entitled talking to my SILs or sister about my shower but at the same time I would like some measure of control regarding it. When I mentioned that I would like to have a coed babyshower if any males in my family would be interested in it my brother got kind of weird. I know that coed showers cost more because there is more guests so I feel awkward making requests since I'm not the one paying for it. 

So I guess I'm asking how to handle the situation: If it's rude to be specific about location, guest list any other details. The original idea that my sister threw out when she offered was to rent a pavilion at a park like 10-15 min away from my house and have a cheap, earthy shower/get together since I'm hoping to get a lot of my stuff second hand from family members anyways. I'm the last in the family to have kids and I really don't see the point in registering for new stuff when there is a ton of baby things leftover from my nieces and nephews.  


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01-19-2013 at 3:49 PM
FemShep
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If you can't be comfortable with a shower over which you have ZERO control, nicely decline the offer of a shower.  A shower is a gift, and it's really only polite to give input when you're asked.  That said, the MTB is usually consulted about the location, especially if it involves significant travel (like a 4 hour drive), the date, and the guest list.

With the guest list, first ask your hosts how many guests they can accommodate-you don't want to give a guest list of 50 people when they can only host 20.  That's a good time to bring up a co-ed shower-but remember, your hosts have the final say, and because a shower is a gift, you can either accept what they're willing to give with a smile or turn down the shower altogether.

For location, it is not OK to request a specific location, but you can certainly point out considerations like your doctor not wanting you to travel more than an hour away after a certain date.

And unless you're asked for input about any other specific details, you should keep quiet, keep smiling, and be thankful for what you get.  Good luck! 


 
01-19-2013 at 3:54 PM
EastCoastB...
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I do feel that some coordination w/ the MTB is necessary.  The guest list and date for sure.  The location - kind of depends on the issues w/ the location.  THe rest of it- sit back and just enjoy.

So- some issues, yes speak up.  But some further thoughts: 

As for location - I feel that what works best for the majority of guests is what you need to roll with (assuming you're o.k.'d to travel 4 hours).  If most of your guests live 4 hours away, then it makes more sense for you - ONE person - to go to them than vice versa. 

As for the guest list - yes, co ed means more guests.  So you need to find out how big of a shower your hosts were thinking of.  And really- be realistic.  MOST men could care less about showers.  So this isn't a hill to die on.


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01-19-2013 at 3:55 PM
EastCoastB...
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Oh, and to FemSheps response- I agree.  If what they are offering isn't waht you want, then politiely decline.  It IS a gift and you have to be careful about the level of "control" you want.

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

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DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10 

01-19-2013 at 5:46 PM
eav2c
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tl;dr.

But, if you don't like something, decline having the shower. Simple.


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01-19-2013 at 5:52 PM
dreadiemam...
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dreadiemama is not online. Last active: 05-11-2013, 8:38 AMBronze

EastCoastBride:
Oh, and to FemSheps response- I agree.  If what they are offering isn't waht you want, then politiely decline.  It IS a gift and you have to be careful about the level of "control" you want.

If I decline my SIL but a friend or other family member offers me a shower down the road is it rude to take them up on the offer? This might be common sense but I'm really bad at this.  


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01-19-2013 at 5:54 PM
ordinary1
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IMO you have very little say on what happens with your baby shower.  It is a gift they are giving you.  I agree that you should have an input on time/date and guest list (but for the number the host is ok with) but location is dependent on so many factors that you kind of have to roll with it. 

I think it is nice that you want to do a co ed shower but I am not sure how many men actually would want to be there.  If you really want to do a co ed thing, I suggest having a meet the baby thing.  That way, everything is 100% up to you.  Good luck!


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01-20-2013 at 10:18 AM
Liz4444
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I think that if they ask you, you can give a suggestion or comment on what they want, if they don't, don't say anything.  I do think that you can give a guest list (but ask them how many people they are willing to accomodate, they may be thinking 20 whereas you may be thinking 50, for example) and you can tell them dates that are good for you.  Other then that, step back.

As for hoping you are going to be getting used items from family members, have they told you they are going to give you the items?  They may have already given things to friends, not want to give something up just in case, etc.  I wouldn't count on anything.  My mom's friend was going to give her all of her stuff because she thought her daughter was done having kids, then *boom* surprise pregnancy and she needed everything.


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01-20-2013 at 11:51 AM
JenniD2
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Liz4444:

I think that if they ask you, you can give a suggestion or comment on what they want, if they don't, don't say anything.  I do think that you can give a guest list (but ask them how many people they are willing to accomodate, they may be thinking 20 whereas you may be thinking 50, for example) and you can tell them dates that are good for you.  Other then that, step back.

As for hoping you are going to be getting used items from family members, have they told you they are going to give you the items?  They may have already given things to friends, not want to give something up just in case, etc.  I wouldn't count on anything.  My mom's friend was going to give her all of her stuff because she thought her daughter was done having kids, then *boom* surprise pregnancy and she needed everything.

This. Since the shower is a gift, I would only make suggestions if you are asked. Otherwise, let them work it out amongst each other. The only thing I would ask is when they plan on having the shower (so you can plan) and the guest list as Liz mentioned.

Also, I would have a registry set up just in case. While you may get second hand stuff, you may not get all of the stuff you want or need. If you have a registry, you can at least use the completion coupon to buy any remaining items. 


 
01-23-2013 at 3:59 PM
somerandom...
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The real question is who is attending the shower? Where do they live? If your MIL is wanting to host a party 4 hours say from you and your guests I would really try to discourage her. Thee is no way your guests want to drive that far!

I recently moved to Seattle and almost all my family and husbands family are clustered around Portland, 3 hours away. My mom was trying to convince my MIL that a shower should be in Seattle so I don't have to travel, but what guest wants to travel 3 hours for a shower? A wedding is one thing but not a shower. So, I have to suck it up and figure out how I want to get to Portland and how to haul gifts back etc.

Other than extreme practicality things like making everyone travel too much, I don't think you should try to pressure the hosts to do things the way you want.
 
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