Baby Shower Etiquette

Just wanted to give some helpful Etiquette on throwing a great Baby Shower.

Q. Who should throw the baby shower?
A. Anyone except the expectant couple — though Miss Manners might disagree. Formal etiquette says that someone who's not a relative must throw the shower to avoid having it look as though the family is asking for presents.Our advice? Ignore traditional rules. Any relative, close friend, or close co-worker should feel perfectly okay about planning a baby shower.

Q. How long should a Baby Shower last?

A.Plan on the baby shower lasting about 2 hours. It's long enough to feel like you've gotten to know people and that you've bonded with the expectant mother. But it is not too long so that guests are all "partied" out. And usually the expectant mother is pretty tired after 2 hours of fun! Some guests might want to stay a little longer to talk, so plan on ending the baby shower at 2 hours and then let everyone leave as they want to.

Q. Is it improper to have a baby shower for your second baby, especially if the sex is different?
A. It is never improper to have a baby shower. A shower is so much more than gifts. It is an opportunity to gather family and friends together to celebrate the beginning of a new life. The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion, and it is always acceptable to celebrate it. If other family members or friends are concerned about it being improper to have a baby shower for a second (or more) child, there are ways to take the focus off the gifts. If the second child is a different sex than the first, it would be fun to host a "It's a Girl" or "It's a Boy" party, where guests bring gender specific gifts. Or, if the mom-to-be truly does not need anything for the new baby, forego gifts altogether and just gather to celebrate. Another option is to host a casserole shower or a pampering mom shower.

Q.Should you have a baby shower for a mother who is adopting?

A. Definitely! Adoption is a miracle for the expectant parents and they need to be honored, loved, and supported just as much as others. A baby shower is the perfect way to celebrate an adoption. Take care to be sensitive about the baby shower though, no references to pregnancy, 9 months, or other related issues, unless the expectant mother doesn't mind or brings it up herself. Also, be sure to host the baby shower only after the adoption is complete. Sometimes adoptions don't work out and it would be even more disappointing to have already held the baby shower. The first few weeks should be time for the new parents to spend some quality time with their new baby. So hold the shower after 4 weeks or so.

Mommy-To-Be's "Liaison": Last, but not least, one of the nicest things anyone can do for the Mommy-To-Be is to be her personal Liaison during the baby shower. Due to the fact that theMommy-To-Be feels bloated, tired, exhausted and maybe even a little stressed. It is helpful for someone to be there for the following:
Place her in a comfy chair
Get the Mommy-To-Be's favorite food for her
Make sure she is always drinking lots of water
Get her something for her feet to be raised
Massage her shoulders a little on down times
Help her up and down from the chair
Monitor her mood and the amount of stimulation going on
See if you can get her anything a few times during the baby shower
By doing the courtesies above, you will be the Mommy-To-Be's favorite person and respected by all the people at the baby shower.

Truly, Mrs. Gifted 80)