Rude Mommy: Second Baby Showers

Last week I received an invitation to a baby shower in honor of someone's second child. The invite asked me to bring a dessert item and included a link to a registry involving organic cotton bibs. Or, if one did not wish to buy from the registry, one could consult an attached wish list for gift pointers. There is so much wrong with this picture that I hardly know where to begin. But I do know that this makes an excellent topic for this my new monthly mini-column, Rude Mommy!

Frankly I've got big beef with any sort of baby registry; so much so that I think I'll leave the topic of registries in general for another post. But perhaps my biggest problem with baby registries is that, like babies themselves, one seems to lead to another. A first-time mom is encouraged to register by everyone these days. Maybe she does so reluctantly. But then she gets all this lovely loot! And next thing you know, this chick is having yet another shower thrown for her and you're meant come bearing both baked goods and Petit Bâteau onesies. All this for someone you haven't even since her first shower!

Naturally I RSVP'd "no" to that invite but here's what I didn't say: Mommy-to-be, maybe I'm meant to be flattered to be asked to your party, but I don't know you well enough to shower you with gifts during this joyful time. Even if I did, why should I help re-supply you with baby gear when you should already have it? Is it my problem you eBayed your Medela Pump In Style after Baby #1? My problem you picked Bob the Builder sheets for the boy nursery first time around, but now you need pink layette for the girl? Ever heard of dots and stripes? Or the colors white, yellow, or green? Ever heard of reduce, reuse, recycle? Lady, you're not the only one with a wish list. I've got one too and you're on it: I wish you'd buzz right off.

What do you mamas think? Is this new ritual the height of rudeness, or is Crabmommy the rude one?

(And for more rude zingers from moms, check this out.)


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