Comments on: Heading Off The Baby Showers http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/ A rich life without a lot of money Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:38:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: FrugalBabe http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-19081 FrugalBabe Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:34:31 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-19081 Valerie, It's the expecting other people to pay for the $800 stroller that I find objectionable. If she can afford it herself then she should just buy it herself. But if she's looking for ways to be able to tell her friends and family that she wants money to buy an $800 stroller, something is wrong with that picture. Valerie,
It’s the expecting other people to pay for the $800 stroller that I find objectionable. If she can afford it herself then she should just buy it herself. But if she’s looking for ways to be able to tell her friends and family that she wants money to buy an $800 stroller, something is wrong with that picture.

]]> By: Valerie http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-19074 Valerie Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:27:36 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-19074 I was thinking that maybe she can actually afford an $800 stoller. If all she wants is a stroller, then she obviously already has or can afford everything else she needs. Maybe she wants 1 nice thing that she really wants as opposed to alot of little things that she doesn't find necessary. If she's looking at an $800 stroller, she's apparently on a completely different financial level. But whatever her situation is, I think its a little too judgemental to say that she doesn't know what's important in life. I was thinking that maybe she can actually afford an $800 stoller. If all she wants is a stroller, then she obviously already has or can afford everything else she needs. Maybe she wants 1 nice thing that she really wants as opposed to alot of little things that she doesn’t find necessary. If she’s looking at an $800 stroller, she’s apparently on a completely different financial level. But whatever her situation is, I think its a little too judgemental to say that she doesn’t know what’s important in life.

]]> By: Jerry http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18492 Jerry Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:47:17 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18492 Entitlement is rampant in our culture, unfortunately, and it leads to these types of things (like expectations for an $800 stroller, for example). Many people tend to view baby showers as some kind of absurd insurance policy to use to stock the nursery... even for a second or third child! My wife had a surprise shower thrown for her at her former job, and while she appreciated the sentiment, she also felt a little bit bad for what people had sacrificed on her behalf. It's an interesting dilemma. Jerry www.leads4insurance.com Entitlement is rampant in our culture, unfortunately, and it leads to these types of things (like expectations for an $800 stroller, for example). Many people tend to view baby showers as some kind of absurd insurance policy to use to stock the nursery… even for a second or third child! My wife had a surprise shower thrown for her at her former job, and while she appreciated the sentiment, she also felt a little bit bad for what people had sacrificed on her behalf. It’s an interesting dilemma.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com

]]> By: Sharon http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18447 Sharon Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:28:06 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18447 I'm in the same boat... my best friend insists on throwing a shower, even though my husband and I don't buy into all the baby *STUFF*. Terrified that I would receive a bunch of things I don't want (disposable diapers, etc.), I registered for some of the basics (pre-fold cloth diapers, a few glass bottles, etc.). And I insisted that the invitation specify that "previously loved" items are welcomed and encourage, and I also put a blurb about that on the registry website. We've gotten most of the basics - bassinet, changing table, car seat and stroller - either used or from friends with older children. Now my big challenge is the grandmothers - all they want to do is SHOP and it's driving me crazy!! At least I won't have to sink money into clothes, I guess. :-) I LOVE your blog. Thanks! I’m in the same boat… my best friend insists on throwing a shower, even though my husband and I don’t buy into all the baby *STUFF*. Terrified that I would receive a bunch of things I don’t want (disposable diapers, etc.), I registered for some of the basics (pre-fold cloth diapers, a few glass bottles, etc.). And I insisted that the invitation specify that “previously loved” items are welcomed and encourage, and I also put a blurb about that on the registry website. We’ve gotten most of the basics - bassinet, changing table, car seat and stroller - either used or from friends with older children. Now my big challenge is the grandmothers - all they want to do is SHOP and it’s driving me crazy!! At least I won’t have to sink money into clothes, I guess. :-)

I LOVE your blog. Thanks!

]]> By: Erin http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18414 Erin Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:48:56 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18414 So true. And yet I know I've been guilty of this. We are getting ready to move and I've been decluttering and getting a ton of stuff to donate. It's sad that we have so much to donate, and still have plenty of things here at home for us. Then I read about the winter storms in China and how orphanages are desperate for simple things like heat, food and diapers. The basics. Yet here I sit in my large warm house, on my computer, with a full pantry and my children have plenty of toys. Very humbling. So true. And yet I know I’ve been guilty of this. We are getting ready to move and I’ve been decluttering and getting a ton of stuff to donate. It’s sad that we have so much to donate, and still have plenty of things here at home for us. Then I read about the winter storms in China and how orphanages are desperate for simple things like heat, food and diapers. The basics. Yet here I sit in my large warm house, on my computer, with a full pantry and my children have plenty of toys. Very humbling.

]]> By: Frugal Babe http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18411 Frugal Babe Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:11:11 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18411 Hi Judy, We're still about three months away from actually using all this baby stuff, but so far we have a crib, a car seat, some hand-me-down clothes, a breast pump and bottles (not sure yet if I'll be going back to work - if I do, I'll be pumping, and a friend gave me her pump). We also have a baby sling and some miscellaneous stuff people have given us. My mother and I are going to make cloth diapers, and we'll be using washclothes for wipes. No wipe warmers :) We're not getting a changing table - we're going to move a sofa into the baby's room and use that or the dresser top to change diapers. I'll make sure I post about our baby adventures as we go along - I'm sure I'll come up with a few other things that we need. Hi Judy,
We’re still about three months away from actually using all this baby stuff, but so far we have a crib, a car seat, some hand-me-down clothes, a breast pump and bottles (not sure yet if I’ll be going back to work - if I do, I’ll be pumping, and a friend gave me her pump). We also have a baby sling and some miscellaneous stuff people have given us. My mother and I are going to make cloth diapers, and we’ll be using washclothes for wipes. No wipe warmers :) We’re not getting a changing table - we’re going to move a sofa into the baby’s room and use that or the dresser top to change diapers. I’ll make sure I post about our baby adventures as we go along - I’m sure I’ll come up with a few other things that we need.

]]> By: Judy http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18409 Judy Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:39:05 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18409 Can you explain what you do find necessary? Going into the stores can certainly seem overwhelming (baby wipe warmers!!) Can you explain what you do find necessary? Going into the stores can certainly seem overwhelming (baby wipe warmers!!)

]]> By: Kelly http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18390 Kelly Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:28:44 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18390 Well, I've always loved baby showers as a celebration of the baby and the mom, and giving life and birth, and womanhood. I think it can be a really nice way to honor the new person who's entering the world, and the new role in your life. In France, where I live, we don't have showers (of any kind!) and I really missed that with my three babies. I agree that there's not a lot that you need for the baby, but you could ask for handmade gifts only. Or you could have your guests create a book for the baby, or make a quilt together. Well, I’ve always loved baby showers as a celebration of the baby and the mom, and giving life and birth, and womanhood. I think it can be a really nice way to honor the new person who’s entering the world, and the new role in your life. In France, where I live, we don’t have showers (of any kind!) and I really missed that with my three babies.
I agree that there’s not a lot that you need for the baby, but you could ask for handmade gifts only. Or you could have your guests create a book for the baby, or make a quilt together.

]]> By: Kaye http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18389 Kaye Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:42:57 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18389 I am too practical of a person to give gifts that so many do. Too often children receive more clothes and toys than they can reasonably use. I always give gifts that are practical--diapers/wipes (depending on the plans for diapering), Tylenol, diaper rash cream, baby powder, etc. I figure that even if they already have some, it won't go bad, the child will not outgrow it (for a while at least!) and the moms are always appreciative. No, it's not as cute as the little monogrammed sundress, but it seems like a smarter buy to me. I am too practical of a person to give gifts that so many do. Too often children receive more clothes and toys than they can reasonably use. I always give gifts that are practical–diapers/wipes (depending on the plans for diapering), Tylenol, diaper rash cream, baby powder, etc. I figure that even if they already have some, it won’t go bad, the child will not outgrow it (for a while at least!) and the moms are always appreciative. No, it’s not as cute as the little monogrammed sundress, but it seems like a smarter buy to me.

]]> By: boomeyers http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18355 boomeyers Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:21:34 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/2008/02/03/heading-off-the-baby-showers/#comment-18355 I do enjoy going to baby and wedding showers. More for the getting together with other women for a fun afternoon of celebration and silly games. Its a social thing. You could always request a shower of gently used or homemade only items, instead of all the crazy new things too. Or even donations to your favorite charity or womans shelter instead. That way they would feel good in giving you a shower, but you would'nt compromise your principles. I do enjoy going to baby and wedding showers. More for the getting together with other women for a fun afternoon of celebration and silly games. Its a social thing. You could always request a shower of gently used or homemade only items, instead of all the crazy new things too. Or even donations to your favorite charity or womans shelter instead. That way they would feel good in giving you a shower, but you would’nt compromise your principles.

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