Should I invite my new in-laws, to my son and his wife's co-ed baby shower?
by Barbara
(Patchogue, NY, USA)
We have been married for two years. My husband has a large family (parents, 2 brothers and 5 sisters) and they are all married with children. Although we occasionally mix our families for holidays and summer BBQ's, my son and daughter-in-law, (the parents-to-be) are both from small families and are a little quiet around my husband's family. My mother-in-law has mentioned she has already knitted a blanket for the expected baby boy.
Sept 13, 2011
Combining Families For Baby Shower
by: Kevin (Modern Manners and Etiquette)
I have to mention that we are probably the worst people to answer your question because of our own personal feelings about this topic. Here is why:
We do not like to mix our families and we do everything we can to avoid it. My family and my wife's family get along just fine. We do not like to do it because it seems awkward for everyone involved.
When they are both together, her family gathers together at one end of the party and my family does the same at the other end. You can't blame them because people will go where they are the most comfortable. There is very little mingling of the families and so it seems like there are two separate parties anyway.
If you are concerned about how they would get along or if one side of the family is too large, you may want to consider holding two separate baby showers. If you think abut it, you were going to have enough food and games and whatever else for everybody. Splitting into two parties doesn't really change the cost associated with the shower. It just changes the time commitment.
If you are really concerned about the shower. One of the best things you could do is present both ideas (combined and separate showers) to the people that are having the shower done for them and ask them their preference. Then you can always let the guests know that you are accommodating the wishes of them as to why the showers are separate.
Good luck with the shower!
