Kids at baby shower

How do you feel about it? My MIL is inviting people w. their kids (girls) and im not happy about it

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

Re: Kids at baby shower

Generally, I think that it is your shower and you should be able to invite anyone you want. However, I understand that sometimes with "family dynamics", it is not always possible. How many girls are there and how old are they?

My shower is not booked yet, but I am having a larger shower - we are expecting 70-75 people. I do not plan on inviting anyone with their children because the number of people will just get out of control and the majority of the girls are babies/toddlers.

However, my niece who is 5 will be invited if she wants to come and I expect that a few people will probably bring their babies. It won't bother me at all.

I think that if it is just a few girls, I probably wouldn't say anything. But if its too many or you really didn't want them there, I would tell my MIL that you were trying to keep the guest list down and that you wanted an adults only event. ALso, if you have children on your side of the family that are not being invited, I would mention that.

Re: Kids at baby shower

there are only going to be 2 kids at mine..my little cousin who is 6. i dont see her often so i asked if my aunt could bring her.

and DH's friend's daughter who is 8.

i wouldnt want an all out kid festival though so i understand where you're coming from.

Re: Kids at baby shower

Re: Kids at baby shower

It's your shower, you should do what you want. If you really don't want kids there you should speak with your MIL and let her know how you feel and why.

I know I have discussed with my mother in the past, that I would like to have certain "kids" at my shower. These are my cousins that I have grown up with all my life and I feel close to. A baby shower to me is different from my bridal shower where I didn't want kids.

Good luck!

Re: Kids at baby shower

I am actually excited that there will be kids at my shower. they will give me an excuse to stay away from the adults

since it's outdoors in our backyard, I will probably set up a kiddie pool for them to frolic in and let them go about their merrily way. they will also probably insist on "helping" me with the presents, which will also be awesome b/c it will help me think of things to say when I unveil the eleventy-billionth onesie

I also had my nieces and godsons at my bridal shower though...I guess the way I look at it is..they are family, even if they are little.

Re: Kids at baby shower

we always have little girls at our family showers.

Re: Kids at baby shower

i hear you. i dont want kids at my shower either. luckily no one has asked.

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I was always all for it. In my family, I always went with my mom to baby & bridal showers, so I feel like it's traditional for moms to bring their little girls and/or babies.

But obviously it's a personal preference.

Re: Kids at baby shower

In my family it is the norm to bring little girls to showers. I think at my baby shower i just had 1 niece, but at my bridal there were 4 or 5 little girls.

I guess it depends on your relationship with your MIL on how to handle it. If it is the norm in your in-laws family to have kids at showers, it may be hard to get around it. Is it b/c you just don't like the kids that are being invited-do they misbehave alot?

Re: Kids at baby shower

I requested no kids at our shower. It worked out well. I felt terrible at first but honestly...I just felt that way and went with it.

Re: Kids at baby shower

I don't really mind it, and sometimes they can be helpful. At my cousins the kids picked up all the wrapping paper and put it in the garbage, handed her the gifts and walked around with the items so everyone can see it. Also handed out prizes and favors. They helped my Aunt out a lot. Its was girls only....no boys.

HTH

Re: Kids at baby shower

I was very ok with kids at my baby shower. We have boys and girls in my family, but only the little girls came.

All the little girls played so well together. My SIL brought construction paper and crayons, and they all colored and made pictures for me.

Re: Kids at baby shower

For me I guess it would depend on my relationship with the girls. If I had neices instead of nephews and were as close to them..Id' want them there. But random people your MIL is inviting...no I wouldn't want them there. there would have to be a close connection to have them there.

Re: Kids at baby shower

I honestly didnt have many kids to invite. That being said, I did invite my DH's cousin with her two girls. We are very close with them and know how excited they are that we're having a baby (they are 8 and 12). I think little girls at showers are cute and appropriate.

That being said, I dont know who is paying for your shower and where you are having it. IMO if MIL is just randomly adding to your guest list (and the expense) without your permission, that is a bit ballsy.

Re: Kids at baby shower

My one neice was the only kid at my baby shower. My other sister-in-laws wanted a day without kids as did my friends with kids. I would say that you don't want kids there if that is what you want.

Re: Kids at baby shower

Re: Kids at baby shower

i personally wouldnt care if they are well behaved. I just went to a shower this weekend and the kids there were OUT OF CONTROL. the parents had no control over them what so ever. They went in the pool and soaking wet they started ripping the paper off presents and loosing the cards. T

hey stood over the mom to be so no one else could see what she was getting. She told them several times she couldnt breathe with them standing over them and to move but no such luck.

If they are well behaved then yes why shouldnt they be able to come but if they are anywhere near the kids from this baby shower i went to then then NO WAY! LOL

Re: Kids at baby shower

Re: Kids at baby shower

IMHO if its just 2 kids then i would accomodate the seating arrangements.

I would just try to spare anyone getting upset or offended for just 2 kids..

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Re: Kids at baby shower

Re: Kids at baby shower

I usually don't take my DD to showers with me- but I did take her to my step sister's shower b/c all my babysitters were at the shower and DH wasn't around!

Plus DD was pretty young at that point.

Re: Kids at baby shower

Re: Kids at baby shower

Only my nieces were invited, one attended and was my little helper while I was opening gifts (plus she fetched me drinks )

I like seeing kids at showers, assuming they are well behaved.