Expecting mum’s unusual baby shower choice leaves people divided: ‘Weird and awkward’

So much has changed about having a baby in just the last decade – even the approach to welcoming a little one is vastly different.

Now we have gender reveals … and pregnancy parties that include dads.

If you’re a Gen X-er like me, let me assure you, this is not a factual error—baby daddys are literally at baby showers these days.

Baby showers don’t just involve a bunch of women eating little sandwiches and playing games in disposable diapers anymore, it seems. Hooray!

It really is the way it should have always been … but not every middle-aged woman is as cool and open-minded as I am.

For example, a poor pregnant mother has revealed that her desire to make her husband attend the baby shower is proving problematic with her super traditional family.

‘It’s also his child’

Posting on the Need for Advice group, the woman explains:

“My baby shower is on Saturday and we did an all-female one.

“However, my husband wants to attend and celebrate our baby. My mom and sister think it would be awkward if he was there and said he should come at the end to say hello and help me load the car.

“However, I feel like why can’t it be if it wants to be?

“He said he doesn’t want to come if he’s not welcome, but I also feel like it’s his baby and if he wants to spend the afternoon surrounded by all the women in our family, that’s his choice!”

She ends the post by asking, “Has anyone had a girls shower but your husband was there?”

“We’re both becoming parents”

We asked the Kidspot team and readers what they thought of spouses attending baby showers. All of them did not see this issue.

• “My husband came to the baby shower and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We both had the opportunity to party and celebrate. I would have hated to be the only one to know when we were both becoming parents.” – Priya
• “I don’t understand why it has to be a women only event? I think it’s old school to treat them the same way as a bridal shower — it’s not just about the mom.” – Leigh
• “My husband didn’t, but I wish he was honest. I was so shocked and cried the whole time. I would have much preferred a more casual mixed event such as a BBQ where we were just celebrating the baby and both parents.” – Ella

“Female-only baby showers are weird”

Most of the commenters on the post also agreed with the expectant mother.

“He’s literally the reason you’re pregnant,” observed one. “We don’t do it alone. I feel like I’m robbing my partner of the experience by not including them. Especially since he wants to come.”

She added, “It’s weird to me that all the baby showers are just for women. Both of mine have been together and literally every other shower I’ve been in has also been male and female. I don’t understand.”

Many agreed, like this person: “There are so many men out there who don’t seem to give an F about their wife and child. Then we have a husband who is so excited that he actively wants to be a part of the festivities and is pushed out? So strange to me. Let him come and experience the joy.”

Finally, one woman summed up the overall sentiment of the thread, writing, “He’s the father! Let him celebrate his baby lol. And he’s your husband, not some casual one-night stand.”