Are baby showers for two children close in age okay?

Question

My friend’s sister is 21 and pregnant with baby #2. Her first daughter will turn 2 a few months after the second daughter is born.

She asked if she was getting another baby shower and said she has already registered for baby #2.

My friend is upset because her sister registered for another swing, playpen and other items that she got with the first baby. The sister said she gave it all away even though they planned to have another baby and she also wants the new baby to have all new things like her sister did.

I know they don’t have a lot of money, but don’t you think this is unacceptable?

Showers for second babies close in age that include a registry for clothes, diapers and bottles are okay to me, but not like my friend’s sister is doing. I just feel you don’t have child and expect others to pay for things the baby needs especially when you should have all those items that are not even two years old yet.

Are baby showers for two children close in age okay?

Answer 1

Well not really because if you DID have already almost everything and knew you were gonna have another baby, but decided to give it away then thats stupid. If your rich , then it is acceptable. But if your just planning on people to buy you new things with their money, then thats unacceptable.

Answer 2

I think generally you only get 1 baby shower...unless the children are far apart in age or sometimes if the babies are different genders.

As far as registering for swings, playpens, etc after she purposefully gave away such things...I can definately understand your frustration. I would also be a little taken back by the fact that she ASKED for another shower. Normally the mom to be doesn't ask for one, someone throws them one.

I think a 2nd shower is fine if the focus of it is to welcome the new baby to the world, NOT to simply get presents! Although I do agree with you on the 2nd shower gift list including diapers, bottles, pacifiers, wipes, etc...I don't believe it should be about big ticket items like swings and playpens (especially since she already had them and gave them away!!! Babies do not NEED brand new things!)

Answer 3

Baby showers are generally for a first baby only. It's usually only when someone has another baby years later (and usually a surprise) that another baby shower is given. I think it's very selfish of someone to go and register for another baby shower when they just had one 2 years ago. Is she giving this shower for herself or is she expecting someone else to give it for her? Even if someone doesn't have a lot of money, that doesn't give them the right to expect gifts from others. Also, they should not expect to have all new things for the second baby. If they do, then they should have thought about their finances before having another child.

Answer 4

Yes the second baby deserves a baby shower too.
Even if the new baby is the same gender. But I think it is too bad she gave away the swing and playpen etc. That is wasteful and she maybe needs to replace them herself.
But the shower for her second child is a great way to introduce and welcome the new baby. A shower with easy to freeze meals is a nice idea. She will be glad to have that since her children will be small. But no one needs to replace the things she gave away, the baby will not even know he or she is using new swing or playpen. That is just ridiculous to give them away if she wanted more children.

Answer 5

You know I agree with you. I thought baby showers were for new parents. or even parents who's children are a significant age difference apart. Say if a person has a seven year old and is pregnant, that's understandable but two years, and she wants everything new, well maybe she should buy it. I know that every few months there are new items out but large items such as cribs, highchairs, pack N plays, etc. I feel can be used if they are only two years old

But this is my opinion

Answer 6

Family and friends gave me spontaneous gifts for my second child. You do not go out and register and then ask for a shower. Wow. Giving away things that you got for your first shower just because you wanted new stuff is horrible - especially since those are big-ticket items that someone else spent their hard-earned money on. Being a parent means being frugal sometimes - not a spoiled brat. Sorry if that sounded harsh, but to practically plan a party in your own favor is beyond me.

Answer 7

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgLZDe26vZ03P2nhaVRQmmPsy6IX?qid=20070319154151AAYgmRG

I posed this question because I was wondering if having another one was considered selfish. Then again I am different. I have all the large pieces, so if anyone threw me one I would ask for things like diapers, formula, bottles etc. Items that you can never have enough of. I came to the realization that family are still going to want to give and a new babe deserves to have special things as well. I wouldnt go overboard like she did, just a small shower.

Answer 8

Yes its ok the whole point in a baby shower is to welcome the new baby so what if she already got rid of that stuff i personaly would have kept it but I am not as wasteful its ok to have a baby shower but mom to be needs to understand that she may not get the big ticket items she is hopeing for the second time around

Answer 9

I agree that it was not really wise or grateful to give away stuff when you are expecting another baby. If they don't have a lot of money then you think they would be extra frugal. I think that if she wants to register, whatever, but as a friend knowing the situation, I would be less likely to give her another large gift.

Answer 10

I don't see a big problem with another baby shower if it's not really as big as the last one, since she's obviously got alot of girl things, now if it was her first boy then it can be just as big as for her first baby girl, but she's already got alot of baby girl stuff, but a small shower won't hurt, since there is nothing wrong with celebrating every child's birth. Congrats to ur friend sis! She shouldn't take advantage of it though.