A Valuable Ritual–the Baby Shower
Oh, wow! Someone is pregnant! Despite all the excitement and secrecy, friends of the mother -to-be will get in a huddle and arrange to have a baby shower. It is a useful tradition, especially for first time parents. Not only will the parents get much needed supplies for the infant, but the shower has other uses. A network of resource people for the new mom will be gathered there. They will soon make it clear that they are willing to be called upon for help. They will usually set up an informal plan at this time, ensuring that clothing and equipment will get passed down and around in the coming years. This recycling is common among today’s young parents.
All the plans work smoothly, and the unsuspecting mom walks in to a roomful of beaming friends who have committed to being there for her. The shower games promoting sharing and friendship are played. Soon everyone is relaxed.
Once the mom is on her special throne, she surveys the people gathered there to honor her in her new role. She cannot miss the feeling of helpfulness emanating from the group. She relaxes in the knowledge that these people are offering her their services and their support as she enters uncharted waters.
A volunteer will sew the gift decorations onto a pie plate and insist that the new mom wear it. The gifts given by each participant will be duly recorded to ease the task of thanking people later for their generosity. However, underlying these routines is a more important vibe. It is the general feeling of support and helpfulness given off by the participants. The mom now knows that these folks will be available for consultation and consolation during those stressful early parenting months.
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.
People who have not given birth and raised a newborn sometimes give gifts that are less than useful to the new mom. But these inexperienced gift givers are usually young people. They bring an energy to the group. They are the people who will gladly do some physically demanding activities with the baby. They will take baby out of the home so mom can rest.
The baby shower is an emotional catharsis for everyone involved. The mom learns that her friends will help her with her new baby. The friends have permission to share their excitement and joy with the mom. Everyone leaves a shower feeling on top of the world.
Mail this post