I guess this is a two part question. What are your thoughts on a second baby shower? Has anyone ever done a virtual baby shower?

DD will only be 18 months when this baby is born so a lot of her stuff is still in really good condition. If this turns out to be a boy (we're going to find out this time around) than we will need some new clothes and such. There are some larger priced items that we will need-double stroller, new monitor (pref the video monitor), extra crib or a new bed for DD if we can get her transitioned, and some other stuff. Things like new bottles and clothes here and there I can get myself, but some stuff is a little more pricy. Not to mention some of is is probably more of a want than a need.

Anyways, I really don't want a traditional shower. Personally I don't like the idea of a traiditonal shower for other kids unless you're having multipals or they're spaced far apart. So I was thinking of a virtual shower but not sure how they go. I also thought of having some type of a party after the baby is born so people can come see the baby and (hopefully, not required) bring presents. I'm not trying to be greedy. I'll make up a new regestery either way so our families at least have an idea of what we will be needing fo Christmas.

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Hmm .. maybe it's a cultural / regional thing so I can only post what I know.

In my experience (and this is no value judgement on your thoughts)

1) People don't do baby shower's for 2nd kids unless the 2nd is the first set of multiples. (ie .. the only 2nd shower I've ever heard of was when the Mom was having twins as her '2nd'.

2) I have never heard of anyone throwing their own baby shower. (again maybe it's just a regional thing.)

3) I've never heard of a virtual shower and I confess if I were invited to one, unless I was literally thousands of miles away, I would probably feel a little strange about it.

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I'm with KathrynHannah on this one. I've never heard of a virtual shower. That sounds kind of odd. And as far as I know (at least in this area), people don't typically throw their own shower.

I'm certainly not opposed to showers for subsequent babies - I've been to several - but there are usually "reasons" for having them - i.e. a baby of a different sex, large space between children, or in a situation where the baby was unexpected and the parents had already gotten rid of their baby stuff.

My older boys are just over two years apart and I didn't have baby shower with my younger one. Since this baby is also a boy I would assume that I won't have one this time either. If it had been a girl, my friends probably would have given me one.

We also didn't have a registry with the second, but my parents and in-laws did buy the two big ticket items we needed as baby gifts (double stroller and car seat) - this was something they approached us about (they asked us what we needed).

If your baby is due around Christmas and you have relatives and friends that you know would want to buy the baby stuff as a Christmas gift, then go ahead and do another registry. But (and this is my opinion here), I wouldn't initiate anything more than that.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I don't really think you should give your own shower it is kind of tacky and I am not sure about a virtual baby shower it seems kind of like you don't want to see the people you only want the gifts. At this point close friends and family members may ask you what you need or want for the new baby. If it turns out to be a boy someone may offer to give you one.

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Mom to Kellan 12-16-2000
Brooklyn 12-27-2005
Nolan 10-15-2007
Wife to Russell 10-14-2005

I agree with the above posters. 2nd showers aren't really done around here unless children are very widely spaced.
I'm not sure what a virtual shower is but if its anything like what I have in my mind, not good.

Imo - people (in general, not necessarily you!) seem to be getting shower happy/greedy it seems.


that being said, I think every baby should be celebrated and perhaps a welcome baby gathering would be nice. However, I don't think the point should be gifts.
As for a registry for family regarding Christmas – I don’t think that would be a bad idea at all but I wouldn’t widely distribute the information.

But that’s just me and my crabby family

I didn't have a second baby shower, but did have a couple friends ask if I wanted one. I did register after a couple girls at work asked me to. I didn't realize baby showers weren't done after the first child at the time, I just wasn't very comfortable at my first one, being the center of attention.

IMO it would not be appropriate to throw yourself a babyshower weather it be traditional or virtual. Either way your expecting gifts. Your family and close friends will most likely bring you gifts after the baby is born anyway.

Have you checked to see if there is a local kids resale coming up? We're having one in the middle of October and they fill a huge fairgrounds building with great quality baby/kid items for resale at a fraction of retail price. You could sell your single stroller and buy a double one and not pay too much of a difference.

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~~Amanda~~
Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), FINALLY expecting #2!!! (due around Memorial Day 2009) *adoption has been put on hold*

I have a similair situation. I have been asked by some if I was going to have a shower this time around. My youngest is almost 7, so it would be helpful, but I feel sort of weird about it. Like someone earlier said I felt sort of odd at the first one. One of my friends who had her youngest daughter about 7-8 years from the other had a shower so I don't think it is really wrong, but I am not sure about it.

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mom of two crazy boys (13 & 6), wife of 7 years to a bigger kid.



You may only be one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person!

My online friends threw me a virtual shower. One lady on the board I frequented, let folks know, time and such,, some people mailed me gifts, some pitched in on a big gift that was scheduled for delivery on the 'party' day. Lots of folks gathered on the board and we had 'shower games' and lots of fun,, all online *real prizes WERE mailed out to winners of the games*

It was done because everyone was spread all over the country,, well,, and Canada too.

Was fun, but I can only imagine a 'virtual' shower for a very spread out group

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