My sister-in-law had a baby shower this past Saturday. I kept my son and nephew (ages 6 and 7) at my house and entertained them while my wife, sister, and mother went to the baby shower. Afterwards, my mother-in-law became upset that my wife didn't bring our son; she thought he should have went and felt my wife didn't bring him out of jealous spite. Hence, my question.
2006-10-17 02:08:30 · 27 answers · asked by digitalquirk 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
They would be bored silly.
The right action was performed
2006-10-17 02:14:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 0⤋
It depends. Traditionally, baby showers are female-only events. However, there are many times that it is a family event, and therefore males are present. That was how mine was. I think for the most part it would be appropriate, but in your situation I understand that you had no way to know if it would be acceptable or not. I think it was respectful of you to keep the boys home, since that is usually what is expected, and the safer route to go. Especially if your wife didn't have a problem with it. I think it was probably a no-win situation, and you did what you thought best. I think it's wrong of your mil to be upset about it. She sounds like the type who would've complained either way. You made the right choice.
2006-10-17 11:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by angelbaby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only child that should be at the baby shower is the one the shower is for. A lot of mothers are waiting to have their showers until the birth of their new baby.
You did the right thing!
You should ask yourself why your mother-in-law felt the need to show-off her grandchildren in such a fashion; instead of directing the attention to the new baby (as it should be). If she needs time with her grandchildren it could have easily been scheduled for another day/time.
Does she often tell you and your wife how to parent or was this an anomaly?
2006-10-17 10:30:49 · answer #3 · answered by Lodiju 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think it is appropriate for children of that age to attend baby showers. The shower is designed for adults who want to "shower" attention and gifts on an expectant mother. When children of any age are allowed to attend it diverts attention from the Guest of Honor. No one wants to attend a shower and have to spend their time protecting their drinks from children running around the house. Not to mention, many children of that age have no attention span and are not at ALL interested in gifts someone else is getting. How boring for a 7 year old boy to sit and watch some one open presents when he's not getting any. Many baby showers are formal affairs, and children are never appropriate there.
2006-10-17 09:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by vwkyla 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been to baby showers where children were in attendance, but only because the women didn't want to arrange for babysitting. The kids are not "invited" to the shower. I think it was nice of you to babysit them so your wife could enjoy herself without having to worry about watching the kids. I'm not sure why your mother-in-law would be upset, except that perhaps she was looking forward to seeing her grandson. Was there some sort of miscommunication, like maybe she told someone to bring him? You could always call her and say something like, "I'm sorry you got upset. I didn't realize that you wanted him to be there. I was just trying to take some pressure off of
I hope that helps.
2006-10-17 12:31:38 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Grandma a few sandwiches short of a full picnic basket here? Sorry, but first, why would a 7-year old want to be at a baby shower? Second, did the hostess invite children and did she have activities planned for them? Third, it sounds as though Grandma is trying to stir up some trouble...
You get an extra cookie for keeping the boys occupied. I hope your wife had a nice time in spite of her mom's kvetching.
2006-10-17 09:20:12 · answer #6 · answered by princessmeltdown 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, it is appropriate if the one hosting is ok with it. However, if your wife would have brought the chidlren she would have had to divert her attention to the children. And probably would not have enjojed her self as much. And some of the focus would have been on the children rather than on the mother to be. Good for you for being a good dad. God bless. Your mother in law is being a little selfish and not understanding at all. Just try to explain to her, she should understand being that she is a mother herself. Good luck and God bless
2006-10-17 09:25:03 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is NOT appropriate for a 7 year old boy to attend a baby shower, unless his name was on the invitation.
No maybes. NO NO NO
2006-10-17 09:48:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. There are a few exceptions:
1) You've spoken with the organizers of the shower and gotten their approval (this goes for ANY child not mentioned on the invite)
2) It is a mixed-gender shower and you've gotten the organizer's approval for children.
Regardless, it is polite to make sure children are welcome, especially boys. And seriously, no 7 year old boy wants to go to a baby shower with a bunch of women oohing and aahing over baby clothes!!! (Hell, most of us women don't even want to go!!)
2006-10-17 15:10:28 · answer #9 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's inappropriate, yes. My sister-in-law brought my then 1 1/2 year old nephew, but he was a baby so it was okay. Any "boy" over the age of three is too old to take to a baby shower.
2006-10-17 09:17:25 · answer #10 · answered by Squirrel 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not appropriate to bring kids to a baby shower, your mother-in-law need to get some business!'
2006-10-17 09:20:12 · answer #11 · answered by precious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋