What If I Don't Get a Baby Shower?by Heather Long | More from this Blogger 20 Nov 2006 07:30 AM Did you have a baby shower? If not, did you miss it because you had your baby the day your shower was to be hosted like a friend of mine or did your friends just not throw you a baby shower? Let me tell you a little secret - no one threw me a baby shower. In fact, when I was called upon a couple of years ago to pitch in for a baby shower for another friend, I was more than a little stumped. So What Do You Do If No One Throws You a Baby Shower? Throw one of your own. I'm serious. It could be that you don't have anyone around you that has it together enough to plan a shower or maybe they have no idea what to do. You and your spouse may not live near either of your families and more. So with that in mind, throw your own baby shower. Head over to a Babies R Us, a Target, a Walmart and any other store of your choice and register for the items that you want or need for the baby and for yourself. You should never be afraid to add items for yourself to the list. If you want to have your baby shower in a location, send out the invitations or if you'd rather have a virtual, send out wish list and baby registry notices to your friends and family. Don't Deny Your Family and Friends One of the hard lessons to learn is when your family and friends realize that you didn't get a baby shower, is they all feel very guilty. Granted, it's nice for others to think of us and to take on the burden of throwing us a baby shower - but if you don't have someone close enough to you to do it - don't deny the rest of your family and friends the opportunity to be there for you. Have you ever thrown a baby shower? Related Articles: A Unique Baby Shower for Preemies Event Planning: The Baby Shower Learn more about Heather Long  Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  Valorie Delp (49340) 20 Nov 2006 08:15 AMGreat blog Heather! I have a good friend who threw herself a baby "welcoming" party. She felt a little awkward but everyone quickly caught on that there were a few things she needed and her friends and family were thrilled to take part. It takes certain skills to host and/or throw and plan a party and you're right. Some people just don't have them--even if they do love you dearly!  Heather Long (16954) 20 Nov 2006 04:49 PMYes, it can be hard. I know a lot of people felt bad for me, but I did register and I sent out notices and let them know what I needed. I received a lot of gifts, including some beautiful handmade items from the grandparents -- so that was nice. But it can be hard to think of doing it for yourself when we all promote throwing them for other people.  Lisa P (24013) 23 Nov 2006 11:07 AMI didn't have a shower either. oddly enough, strangers came out of the woodwork with gifts! A friend of a friend had a one-year-old and a lot of outgrown dress clothes. Another friend had a one-year-old and gave me all the onesies she had for her son. A woman down the street, whom I'd never met, gave be loads of blankets she'd received but couldn't use for her twins and also threw in a monitor. It really was remarkable and I never once missed having a shower! Valorie Delp (49340) 24 Nov 2006 08:24 PMGosh--you ladies need to move here! I had 3 showers for my first, 2 for my second, none for my third and 2 for my 4th and 5th. I think it is the culture though. Spanish people like to throw a party for everything!  Eliza Ferree (725) 02 Dec 2006 05:30 PMWith my last pregnancy we didn't really have a shower, however a lot of people from my husband's work did come over to check on me after I gave birth and each one had gifts. To me it was still a shower. This time I doubt I'll have one,not just because it is number 4 but unlike before i don't get out much and meet the neighbors. alienated (5) 18 Jan 2007 08:46 AMI didn't have a shower either. My family never liked me anyway. Now these grand baby showers are being thrown for my nieces. Then my son asked me if anyone threw him a shower. I made up some lie instead of telling him no one really cared-which is how I feel. That is when I started feeling depressed. Luckily, some Rainbow Gathering hippie ladies scavanged the free stores, etc., for me and came up with enough stuff to last until he was 8. Family values---for certain people--seem unfair to me. Isn't this stuff based on reciprocation? Eight years later--it still hurts me that no in my family cared one cared enough to show me any support. Community Tags baby shower, registering for baby, throwing your own baby shower, wish lists Discuss this article
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