WHO is pregnant? Oh boy! Let’s have a baby shower! Although generally secrecy is attempted, most moms have a sixth sense about these things. The excitement of luring the unsuspecting expectant mom to the shower often involves planning just short of military strategy. This is a testament to the love and friendship that the shower participants feel for the new mom. The sense of affection is the most valuable aspect of the shower. Yes, the parents-to-be will get a stack of supplies for the New Addition. But more importantly they will realize that they will not have to face their new venture alone. They will witness their friends gathered around to pledge their support. Some of their friends may have their own children. This gives them a special status as mentors and passers-down of baby stuff
The secret planning pays off and the mom- to- be walks into the ambush. There is fun and laughter as everyone explains his role in the clever deception. Some ice breaker games soon have everyone on a first name basis and the routines set down for baby showers are enacted.
If she was unsure about whether she could rely on her friends for support, mom now realizes that they are all there for her and her baby. Tips and advice on baby care are soon shared. Mom starts to feel that she just may be able to pull this thing off
With military precision the shower rules are followed. The note-taker writes down who gave which gift. The hat designer sews ribbons and bows on an improvised hat for the mom to wear. This would all seem pretty silly to the uninitiated. But it has been done this way for so long because it works. Throughout the evening, the mom understands in her heart that she has reliable and knowledgeable friends who have her best interests in mind. They will do what she needs them to do when the baby arrives.
Experienced parents seem to give the most useful gifts. They show up carrying huge containers of daily diapers They know the safety value of a wireless baby monitor They buy. A baby bath and the hooded bath blankets to go with it. These folks know what is required.
Young people usually do not know the finer details about what a new mom needs. Their gifts tend to be prettier but less practical. But these youngsters will fearlessly offer to push the stroller around the block twenty times while mom has a shower and a break. Their contributions will be as useful as anyone else’s.
Although the baby shower may have the appearance of a crazy ritual carried out by hysterical females, the hilarity disguises a very important message to the new, first time mom. She knows that the people involved are her friends. She can rely on them to help her cope with motherhood.
