Baby Shower Queastion or Baby 3 - Saginaw,MI

Hello fellow Michigan mama! :)

I agree with the others- send out the invites and see what you get back. If your mom hosted it in the early afternoon, you could just serve cake and light snacks which would keep the cost down on food ( I know how quickly those things add up! ) . You'll feel less stress about offending any one and , as you said, it's REALLY hard to know where to draw the line with out offending any one. I think it's great that you are so supported and I think inviting your in-laws is a great way to show them that you still love them and want them to be involved.

Good luck!
M.

I would just invite whoever and let them decide if they want to be a part of your shower. When I was coming up with guest lists for my wedding, showers, etc, I was told not to make any decisions for others, send an invite and let them decide. Good luck! If they all come, then enjoy the gifts!!!

Personally, I think babyshowers for anything other than your first isn't right. Especially when times are so tough for everyone financially. Plus, most people who are close to you do bring a baby gift after the baby is born, when they come to see the baby. If you got rid of all your baby things then you can pretty much get all you need by going to mom to mom sales or garage sales. I think getting brand new from a shower is when you are just starting a family and will be using these things for all your kids. My friend is having a baby after all her other ones are older and she has been getting beautiful things that are gently used. Plus, you won't have to worry about who to invite and who not to invite. Just a thought!

I agree, invite everyone and let them decide. Some, no matter your circumstances will not go because they don't think anyone should have a shower for subsequent pregnancies. But at least no one will be offended that they weren't invited.

If your mom is offering, take her up. Don't worry about including or excluding. 6 years is a lonnnggg time between babies, car seats are no longer safe, cribs have been recalled, etc. Let your mother celebrate the joy of another grandchild and let her wrooy about the guest list. If she is concerned about everyone showing up, have an open house rahter thann a formal shower. It is not every day that there is a new baby around.
Let family and friends help you celebrate and meet needs that you may have. If they think it's tacky, they won't come and I doubt they will express that to you.
If you don't want gifts, have them bring diapers and wipes.

Have an open house with a time frame of two or three of hours for people to drop by. It is more informal and more welcoming. Having some simple refreshments like fresh veggies and dip, chips and dip, pretzels, cookies, cake, finger sandwiches, tortilla roll ups, and other things like that. If your mom is worried about fitting everyone is her home then consider having it at a local church or another relative or friends home that is bigger. A park, some have buildings you can use, is also an alternative if it is warm when you are having it.

You could either open the gifts as people come in or keep them back to open later but you know women, we want to see the faces when our gift is opened.

You might let a few select people "leak" why you are having a shower after having had one before. If circumstances dictate then everyone should be comfortable with you having one.

you can always put in the invite to limit the amount of money spent. like 25.00. things are very difficult in Mich for everyone and you don't want people to be uncomfortable because they have to pay their mortgage instead of your gift. People can pool their amount together to get you something larger. This time of year there are lots of Mom to Mom resales at churches and schools check them out too. Invite everyone but put a limit on the spending. Congrats, the lord must have some special plans for that baby.

Since this is baby #3, I suggest your mom throw you a small "sprinkle" 10-15 guests. My friend and sister did just that for me for baby #2 - a girl who is 5 yrs younger than my son baby #1.

With your current circumstances, it may be better to party once the baby is born so that all the family (yours and in-laws) can meet the new baby. I'm not sure when you are due, but with summer coming up if baby is born then, most folks would be able to make the 6 hour trip. Good luck!

Your husband's relatives are still your children's relatives and yes you should invite them. If they live 6 hours away more than likely all of them (who you invite) will not attend. My suggestion is to limit to his sbilings and parents, since this is your third child.'

Many blessings to you and your children.

I would invite only the immediate and ones close to your kids. 10 percent of how many you invite don't show up.

Invite his family as well. Stick to immediate family (parents, siblings, and the closest of the close of other family).

DON'T feel bad about having a shower. Given that you didn't plan to have more children most people should understand that you don't have anything from your first two children anymore. Also, if they have a problem with it they probably won't come anyway right?

I think it's wonderful that you can still make time for your husband's family even though the two of you are having your issues. It would be nice to keep that going for your children's sake.

30 people may be a tad tight but it seems important to you that everyone be there. If your mom doesn't want all those people she could always throw an online shower. I don't like that idea but you all might =) She can send a little invite to everyone with some sort of saying about how baby # 3 was unexpected (you can probably find something cute online) and then have an online registry for anyone who would like to send a gift.

After they baby is born then perhaps you can get in touch with your husband's side and get together with them to see the new baby.

I wish you all the best!!! Hope everything works out for you =)

Invite everyone! People will sort it out if they are feeling awkward about coming, but otherwise it will be a bad thing on your future relationship with his family if they are left out. DON'T do it.

Why is your mom concerned about everyone coming? Is it because of a space issue or because she's afraid people can't get along? If its space then just find a bigger place. However, it isn't a big deal if its small and cozy either. If its people getting along then be sure they all know who's been invited and they'll decide if they want to come or not.

There is nothing wrong with having a shower for each child - by the way. :) People LOVE to give gifts for babies. And it sounds like you need some things anyway. Some people have several showers, one from people they know at work, maybe one from church or friends, one from family... So its not like you just get one in your lifetime. :) I had one for each of my girls, and even though the second time I hardly needed anything, there were a few things that I needed that I didn't get the first time, and I was able to get new bedding.