WIBU to take a baby to a baby shower?

[chirpchirp]

One of my best friends is pregnant and another one of her friends has decided to throw her a surprise baby shower.

On the same weekend it is my MIL birthday and she always takes a weekend break with her DSs (my DH) for her birthday. The two neighbours that I would usually ask to babysit are both on holiday and I don't think I would feel comfortable hiring an "unknown" to sit for me.

WIBU to take my DS who is 7months to the shower? I think I would as it's really all about my friend and think it would be unfair to take the attention away from her. My DH thinks I should go anyway and take DS along. I would usually obviously just ask my friend but as it's a surprise party I can't. WWYD?

Crikey, I wouldn't have thought twice, how kind and thoughtful and caring you are! Why don't you speak to the girl who's organising and explain your predicament?

My initial thought is that it's a baby shower, so why would real babies be unwelcome? It's not as if you haven't tried to make other arrangements. When my dcs were babies (admittedly the shower business was yet to be formally foisted upon British society) any similar sort of gathering would always include the babies of friends.

I would speak to the girl organising the shower.

Thanks for your replies - I haven't been to a baby shower before so wasn't sure of the etiquitte. Will ask the friend organising it and see what she says.

ARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!! Baby showers!!!

Sorry, just needed to let that out

I think as long as it is a daytime shower then that would be fine. I have been to one shower before and took my 9 month old, she was the only baby but no-one batted an eyelid.

These people that have baby showers, do they get presents from the guests for the baby to come then and then another when it is born? Or is it a shower for gifts for the woman and then presents for the baby when it is born.

I would have thought babies were necessary at a baby shower. What else are you gonig to throw at the woman?

I'd check because technically you were invited, not your son. Depending on the type of event, it might not be suitable for kids (I'm thinking cocktails/silly games/gross out stories/fancy china - most baby showers would be okay but it's often the last childfree event the mum will be having for a while!).

Of course it's very rude to invite an extra person along, so your only polite option is to call up the hostess and explain that since you can't get a babysitter, you're going to have to decline and see what she says. She may well say to bring him along, or she may explain that it's not a child friendly event.

Thanks .

All the baby showers i have been to have been baby friendly :)