My sister wants to give Simon a welcome home/shower type party. Simon
is our 5th child and only 2 years younger than the next youngest
child but the only boy in a family of 4 girls. Many of our friends
have already stopped by to see Simon and have brought gifts for him
already so I'm not I'm realy comfortable inviting them to
a "shower". On the other hand no one in our famlies, other than my
sister, has even stopped by the house to see Simon since they met us
at the airport (all live with in 30 minutes of us). This is something
my sister really wants to do and I don't want to hurt her feelings by
saying No but I'm not sure what the proper etiquette is for something
like this. Any suggestions?

By Melanie on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 10:06 pm:

My neighbors had a wonderful welcome home party for their second daughter from China. The invitations politely requested no gifts. I think you should do it. Let your sister know that many people have brought gifts for him, so you'd prefer for it not to be a shower type party. Have a party to celebrate the growth of your family! I can't think of any better reason to celebrate!

By Bea on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 10:55 pm:

Do you think Simon is ready to have so many people around him this soon. Would it be too much and frighten him?

By Marcia on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 11:58 pm:

When Kayla joined our family, it was strongly suggested that we not involve her in any group activities for a while. She came home 2 weeks before Christmas, so she was involved in all of the festivities, including a neighbourhood party. It was all pretty difficult for her, because she was just getting to know all of us.
It might be especially hard on Simon, because even the language is new to him.

I agree about not having a shower, because of the duplicate gift thing. I think smaller get togethers are probably the wisest choice, so he won't be overwhelmed. Since so many people have been there, but not your family, maybe just a family barbecue would be good.

By Babysitbarb on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 10:23 am:

My family and my SIL's family went together and did an open house type party for my DB and DSIL and their new little girl they had adopted from China about a month after she came home and she did real good. They were so excited for people to meet her and by doing it as an open house type way people came for a while and stayed and left. We had snack type things like cheeseballs and crackers, fresh veggies and dip, cookies, mints, and cake.My DB works for the local youth group and we had it at their office which has a nice big kitchen/dining area and a large gym and game room so their was plenty for the other age kids to do. The immediate family then ordered pizza and went back to their house to watch them open gifts. I would put in the invites no gifts neccesary and if people don't want to bring one they don't have to.

By Mommyathome on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:18 am:

Maybe just let her host a family BBQ/dinner in honor of Simon.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 02:31 pm:

The open house idea would probably work. When one of my co-workers, where I used to live, adopted a little boy, we through her an "adoption" shower. Marty was already three, so he got a wagon and stuff like that! It was fun.