AIBU?
AIBU to think a baby shower for a second child is a little grabby?
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 16:48
My friend's second child is due soon. We have all (incl friends from uni who haven't seen her for a while) been invited to a baby shower, with a list of gifts to choose from and a few things to definitely not buy (as she likes to choose her own versions of these things). The invitation has come from her.
My friend is lovely but not the overly sociable type. She's not keen on other people's occasions e.g. hen nights, evening wedding celebrations etc as she says she would rather be at home, so often doesn't go or makes up a childcare excuse. This I understand, but I'm confused as to why she would then go and arrange an event of her own!
AIBU to think it is a little cheeky?
NoPityRequired · 18/08/2015 16:57
I don't mind baby showers. I'm happy for my friends.
I don't mind them even if they are for second or third babies. Could be twentieth baby I'd still want to celebrate with them and would buy a gift for every child, even of it was something small.
I do mind when they are organised by the pregnant woman. That is grabby if you ask me. "come all my friends and buy me shit loads of stuff!"
And I definitely mind when people issue gift lists. There should be no obligation to get a gift let alone from a list. If I want to buy something I want to choose it (usually something sensible like consumables or plain vests) I don't want to be told I have to buy a 40 quid shawl 
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 16:59
The gift list is cleverly hid in the body of the invitation if you see what I mean (I really do like this friend btw, that's why I'm so surprised at this!) Essentially it's a paragraph of dos and don'ts - "this would be good, but we don't need these" kind of thing.
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 17:08
Someone from her work arranged the first one for her I think, but she doesn't seem to be around any more.
Tbh I was a little surprised at the first baby shower because I really didn't think it was her thing. But, as someone else had arranged it I guessed it was their idea not hers so went along with it.
I also thought that perhaps she was wanting to become more sociable so it would be more about the party and less about the gifts. However, since then she still doesn't go to other people's events unless she really has to so I'm stumped!
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 17:11
The invitation invites me to "friend's name" 's birthday shower but is definitely in her writing. It is at her house and the rsvp is to her mobile number.
I am now wondering if there have been other clues I've missed over the years. I hope not.
Pippa12 · 18/08/2015 17:55
I don't understand why people get so worked up about baby showers? Is it so awful to spend £5 on a pack of bibs/mitts/hats/rattle and go and celebrate your friends baby? First or second child its equally as exciting and I would hope my friends would want to be there. Baby showers are the norm in my circle of friends, I really don't think they are grabby.
Boutonneux · 18/08/2015 18:32
I don't like the whole thing of Baby Showers - they've always struck me as a bit naff and yes, grabby.
they didn't have them in my day I am sure and my youngest is 14.
Something I have wondered though... if you attend a baby shower and bring a gift, do you also then get another one when baby is born? I know if it was a good friend I'd want to buy something 'pink' or 'blue' (assuming we didn't know beforehand) but it's a bit much if you've already bought a baby shower gift too, no?>
bringthenoise · 18/08/2015 18:34
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 18:53
Boutonneux that's exactly the problem I had last time! Woman who was arranging it asked us to contribute to a joint gift which she had already chosen (ironically part of which is something my friend has said in the new list that she doesn't want as she likes to choose her own!). We were then asked to buy a replica of one of our favourite things from our childhood to give too. It sounded lovely on the original invite but in reality meant somebody else chose the gifts I gave to my good friend and they weren't really something I'd have chosen in the first place! I then bought a gift too and was getting rather fed up of it all by then!
And now we seem to be going through it all again! I think I'll just politely decline this 'Baby Sprinkle'! 
BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 18/08/2015 19:02
I'm torn. Gift lists for baby showers, sure, grabby. Expecting mother treating the birth of her second child with the same excitement as her first? Sorry, I can't get annoyed about that.
I know that's not what you're saying, OP, but i'm just trying to offer another thought.
quietasamouse · 18/08/2015 19:08
I get what you're saying Boy (and as a second child appreciate you thinking about us!), but when she finds any excuse possible not to go to other people's celebrations (often expressing boredom, not wanting to buy gift etc) I'm surprised she's on her second event herself, especially one with a gift list!
Andylion · 18/08/2015 19:22
Baby showers are great for the first born, helping the expectant parents with all the things they need. I love shopping for them. I usually buy two onesies in three different sizes (for the baby to grow into), some wash cloths, receiving blankets and one nice sleeper. Nothing really expensive but items that will be used and therefor, appreciated.
For the second baby, however, it's a bit grabby. I was invited to a shower for the second baby of a cousin years ago, but the cousin really had planned on not having any more children and had given everything away.
OP, you say your friend doesn't like to go to other people's celebrations; perhaps that is why she is throwing one for herself. No-one else can be bothered as she can't be bothered to attend their celebrations. Also, she has no-one to tell her that a shower for a second baby can be seen as grabby.
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