Co-ed Baby Showers
By: A. Cowan

To Invite, or Not to Invite......THE GUYS! Should you invite your husband and his friends onto the sacred ground of the baby shower? That is the question that plagues many hostesses and moms-to-be.

Wanting to include your hubby in the festivities is only a natural progression of your pregnancy. Shopping for maternity pants, helping you register for baby clothes, attending Lamaze classes at 8:00 pm each Wednesday night, driving you to doctor's appointments, and a handful of other dad-to-be duties has kept him busy up to this point. So, why ask him to sit around with pink and blue balloons taped to the wall, subject him to conversations that include the words "breast pump" and "hemorrhoid cream", and eat crumb cake with his Aunt Betty? Involvement.

From the time you told him you were pregnant up to the birth, most of us are trying to find a way for hubby to become involved with the baby. You have an instant bond with your baby. He/she lives inside of you; is nourished by you; is protected by you. From the tiniest flutters of movement in your fifth month to the whopping kicks in your ninth month, you are well aware of your baby's presence. Your husband doesn't have the luxury (not that pregnancy is luxurioius) of having the closeness that you and baby share. Although, ultrasounds and heartbeat recorders have helped the dad-to-be experience his unborn child in the last few decades.

You are now asking, what does this have to do with co-ed baby showers? It doesn't, I just wanted you to feel bad for him. The only reason you would invite your hubby to the party is this: It took two to create, so two should celebrate! Seriously, though, please review this guideline before you plan a co-ed baby shower:

• Invitations should reflect a co-ed baby shower (couples names on envelope)
• Invite more than one or two men.
• Plan the day on a non-sports day (don't plan it on the Super Bowl).
• Create games that both men and women will enjoy
• Keep the prizes/party favors gender neutral. Or, buy favors for both men and women.
• When the gifts are opened, place two chairs up front (one for mom and one for dad).
• Don't feel that the decorations have to be any less baby-ish than you would normally have it. Everyone know it's a baby shower!
  
  The decision to have a co-ed baby shower will probably be pretty quick, depending on the father-to-be. He may want to attend the party, but he might not. If he chooses the latter, then don't take it to heart. Baby showers are traditionally held for the pregnant woman and her friends. He may feel that it is just not his place to barge in and bring his buddies. But, then again, he may be flattered and thrilled that you would want to share the party with him. He's excited about baby's arrival too!

Co-ed baby showers are becoming popular now that husband's have become more involved with their wives' pregnancies. It is a great way for the couples' friends and family to show their support of the new family. If a couples shower isn't for you, then consider having the guys take the dad-to-be out for a pre-dad night. He might get some great advice from experienced dads!

By: A.Cowan

 

Reprints available - permission needed. Email support@mommyparty.com