For my time out this month I actually attended a baby shower and this happened to be one of the very BEST baby showers I ever attended. Why? Because the girls who planned the event followed three simple rules which I highly recommend:
1. Don’t play those ‘Baby Bingo’ games with the M&M’s: It’s torturous. Everything the mommy-to-be will open at a baby shower looks like this: onesies, booties, a million cute tiny outfits that the baby will wear no more than one time and 5,000 bottle warmers. Really, how many times can I write that on a bingo card?
2. Don’t assign seating: Let the girls sit with who they want to talk to. Implementing a forced seating arrangement is such a buzz kill. It’s like being back in fifth grade sitting at the lunch table next to someone you can’t stand. Trust me on this one, let the ladies duke it out and find their own seats.
3. Serve some alcohol: For the love of God, let’s remember that not everyone is pregnant at this party – so sorry that the guest of honor can’t drink, but the rest of us sure as hell can! Be sure to offer up some booze for the ladies so that the 5 hour long gift-opening-fest goes a little more quickly.
I wanted to mix some humor into this post today and I hope I made you smile since I have some other news to share…
This will be the last Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday. I began this meme on a weekly basis shortly after I launched this blog and found that it was too difficult to maintain on a weekly basis. I then moved the meme to once a month and as much as I love my time outs, this meme has run its course. I have to continue to make decisions for this blog that work for me and I have more exciting plans on the horizon for Theta Mom that I really need to focus on. Time Out Thursday’s will now become a significant part of the archives. I really appreciate all of you fabulous ladies who have joined me at one point or another in this meme. I had fun reading about how you spent some “me” time away from the kids and I encourage you to continue carving out some time for yourselves!
On a happier note, I am beyond exited to share the milestone that TMC has reached! In less than two months of the launch, we are now 300+ members strong and we continue to grow. I know many of you belong to a bunch of blogging communities and you are all essentially looking for the same thing – to build a readership and gain support from other bloggers. So how do you maximize your time and energy at TMC to make it work for you? Browse through the listings and visit the blogs of sincere interest and tell them you found them through TMC. I’ve seen it in action and it works! This truly is the best way to meet and support other bloggers in your niche. And don’t forget to show some love to the Featured Blogger (link located on the navigation bar) which goes live every Friday! Make it a part of your blog routine to visit TMC regularly and of course the FB of the week.
And as a side note, I wanted to express a sincere thank you to so many of you who took the time to comment on my recent post. It has been quite a learning experience for me over the last two weeks and I’ve had some time to really reflect on this issue. Moving forward, I’ve decided that I will continue to write to my heart’s content – this will never change and although I will continue to share some photos when the moment calls for them, it will be few and far between.
I must admit it has been comforting to know I am not alone as so many of you have been struggling with this same exact issue at some point with your own blogs. I don’t have the perfect answer on this one but what I can share is my experience and hope that you can relate to it in some way – which many of you have and I thank you for sharing your experience with me. As always, I have the best readers on the planet. Thank you for being such an active supporter of my blog. It really means more than you know.
And if you are participating in Theta Mom Thursday for the very last time, link up and share with me!
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Oh I will be sad to see TMT go!!
I think it is a wonderful idea to encourage us Moms to remember to take time for ourselves!
After all, if you have an empty cup can’t pour blessings out onto others!
Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday – Ironic that we both blogged about the same issue!! Blogging requires a balance between SHARING our passions and also PROTECTING our family.
OPSEC is something we all need to be informed about!
.-= Ann Marie @ Household6Diva´s last blog ..Springtime in Germany =-.
First of all I completely agree with your baby shower tips. My only request for my shower was no games, because I have yet to find a baby shower game I enjoy. Of course I have yet to attend a shower with alcohol, which would probably make any game much more fun (with the exception of baby gift bingo)!
Thanks so much for hosting Theta Mom Thursday. I’ve only been able to participate in a couple, but I really enjoyed it. It was TMT that finally got me out of the house (by myself) after the birth of my second son. Previously I felt too bad leaving both kids with anyone, including my husband. But I am so glad I did!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..The Me I Find There =-.
AMEN to serving alcohol at a baby shower…it’s just torturous otherwise!!!!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..A Whole Lot of This In Our House Lately… =-.
Glad you’re not letting the spammers get the best of you. Way to keep writing and sharing.
.-= Lcw´s last blog ..dads blog…and it’s not gay =-.
Laughed so hard at the baby shower comments. I’m more in the bridal phase but I still think these rules should be applied- though I have to say I’ve never been to one that assigns seats that would REALLLLY piss me off (I can’t even stand when teachers do- I’m an adult I can choose my own seat!). But I have been to quite a few with the bingo…ugh! And that don’t serve alcohol…also ugh! A person shouldn’t need to drink at their own baby shower, but the rest of us are sitting through it so we need to haha
Looking forward to seeing where your blog is going
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Everytime I Hear That Song, I Go Back =-.
Sorry to see Time Out for Theta Mom coming to an end but I am sure there are lots more exciting things ahead
Thanks Tina – yes, some exciting stuff on the horizon for Theta Mom!
I think that growing and having things evolve on your blog are a good thing for sure!! And I totally can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!!! I will get my final Theta Mom Thursday post up later this morning!! I HAVE to participate in the final one!!!
.-= The Mommyologist´s last blog ..Mom Sexy Is Not A Number =-.
I am really sad to see this meme go. Time out Thursday has been the motivator behind me remembering to take time for myself!
I first found your site on on a Thursday and read your Time Out Thursday post and thought, “Wow! That’s a pretty cool idea!” I’ve never done the meme, but really like the idea of writing about how moms take time for themselves. Excited about the new stuff coming up and can’t wait to see what happens next. FINALLY, so happy you feel a little bit better about writing to your heart’s content, after all isn’t that why we all do this blogging thing to begin with? Have a happy Thursday!
.-= Katie’s Dailies´s last blog ..Blonde Moment # 3,746,000 & A Win =-.
I’m glad you enjoyed the baby shower! A perfect time out, especially with some alcohol involved!
.-= Beth @ Laugh Until You Cry´s last blog ..A little reorganization. =-.
Who assigns seating at a baby shower??!
You def need to do what’s best for you, your family, and the blog as far as working on the Memes.
Maybe some of us should take of TMT? I don’t know how we’d go about doing this, but if anyone has any tips, I’d love to work on that!
.-= christine´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Finally A Good Reason To Play With Sophie, My Tooth! =-.
Christine – That’s the thing, I love my TMT and I still take time for myself, but the continuous “promoting” of the meme for participation, getting it on the calendar and such is too much right now – I know it sounds silly as I was only doing it once a month, but believe it or not, trying to keep the momentum going when so much time passes in between has been a challenge.
I also have so much other stuff going on that I need to focus on, so something has to give – and if anything has to go, this seems like the right fit. Thanks for sharing.
I love your baby shower tips. Can we nix the tasting smooshed candy bars in diapers to win a prize too? That one makes me gag just thinking about it haha.
Excited to see what the future holds for Theta Mom! I have no doubt it’s going to be huge.
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Rainy days are here again! =-.
Ha ha, alcohol at a baby shower would be AWESOME! Hee hee.
.-= Maria´s last blog ..Win it Wednesday! =-.
I am sad to see TMT to stop. I loved reading all the posts. However, I have to admit that I always felt like a fraud actually writing one! All of my kids are in school full time. I have lots of my own time.
That being said I am excited to see new things from Theta Mom! And way to go TMC. So exciting!
.-= Magically Ordinary´s last blog ..A Dog’s Guide to Being Happy =-.
You rock, Theta Mom! Love your blog and the TMC! I’m a proud, card carrying member. =)
.-= MandyP´s last blog ..Thursday Snippets =-.
In my family we always serve cocktails at Baby showers
Well, we serve cocktails at every family function. LOL
.-= Michelle @ Mommy Loves Stilettos´s last blog ..♥Pour Your Heart Out – The One That Blows My Mind. =-.
LOL at your SHOWER rants….I have never been to one that assigns seats and I also believe baby bingo has run it’s course!
I do like a few of the games at the beginning while you are waiting for guests to arrive – like Name that Nursery Rhyme or a play on words for baby items but once the shower starts – I like to concentrate on the gifts being opened etc.,
I have to say though – I get soooo annoyed when everyone starts carrying on their own conversations – if you don’t want to watch move to the back and chat. I’m one of those that enjoy sharing the day with the mom to be or bride and enjoy seeing their excitment as they open the gifts!!!
About Thursday’s Meme – I just found you so never had the opportunity to play but can understand if right now you need to stop it and concentrate on other things.
Managing a blog is fun but can be time consuming too so do what’s right for you – we are all Busy Mom’s so I don’t think anyone will throw daggers at you! Well, let’s hope not! :O)
And….I enjoyed your recent post and commented a few times. I did make small changes that I thought should be done, like I took my weather button off which showed my exact location! DAH…but again when I started it was only locals who found me so never thought anything about it. I appreciated the info and it made me think what is the best for my blog!
Have a great Thursday!
.-= RunningonMTT´s last blog ..Post 2 of the Day – Wordless Wednesday =-.
I’m so glad that post made you think about your own practices and what you are comfortable sharing – that was the idea! Thanks so much ofr letting us know some of the chnages you made. Awesome!
I’m sad to see this meme go, but you need to do what you feel is best for your blog. And it doesn’t mean we need to stop taking time for ourselves. As a mom, I think taking that time is a must in order to keep the ship running smoothly.
As to spammers – we can’t let them control our blogs that we are so passionate about. I agree with you on pictures – I’ll still post them, just not as often. I actually have a really cute video of my son I would love to share, but I’m still on the fence about it.
.-= All You Need is Love´s last blog ..Time For Me =-.
I think a good compromise may be to post it so your readers view it initially, and then when it goes into the archives, keep the written part of the post but remove the video…thoughts?
That’s an idea I never thought of. I just might do this. Thanks!
.-= All You Need is Love´s last blog ..Sunflowers and Dandelions =-.
Excited to see what other amazing things you’ve got up your sleeve!
.-= Devan @ Accustomed Chaos´s last blog ..Product Review: King Arthur Flour Pizza Crust Mix =-.
I think the real problem with baby showers is all the stuff we think we need! Everybody bring a box of diapers or a favorite children’s book, and we can all save time and sanity not opening gifts for five hours. It’s no fun for the mom-to-be either!
.-= Stacia´s last blog ..It Takes a Pit Crew =-.
my friends and i throw showers regularly and there are never any games…interestingly enough, i have yet to find someone who was bummed we omitted them…everyone says “Oh, thank God! I hate those things!” so why does everyone insist on games??? tradition i suppose.
also, another “tradition” we’ve instituted is that at the end of gift opening, we tell announce to the mom-to-be that they have another gift…the gift of not having to send thank you cards. that we all know she is tired and should use her time napping now rather than saying what she has already said to us now. moms light up when we announce this and because we say it in front of everyone, no one would dare complain about not getting a silly thank you card that they just throw away anyway!
.-= jeannett´s last blog ..100 Things =-.
I totally agree about the baby showers.
Mine was perfect. It had NO games, alcohol for all of the non preggos and really delicious food.
Hi there!
I’m relatively new to visiting Theta Mom (directed here by a post by ‘Life Without Pink’ and I connected w/her through SITS!) and have really enjoyed/appreciated and can relate to most all that you highlight here. I totally get the ‘season for a meme’ I host a weekly date night idea every friday and I’m so glad I decided a time limit for it. Even the good and ‘fun’ stuff can get to be hard to keep up with week in and week out.
How can I become a featured blogger??
I choose Featured Bloggers from members of TMC that show support, have the button on their site and are active readers!
YES on alcohol at baby showers! 😉
Congratulations on making some big decisions, and on moving forward with your blog in a way that makes sense for you. I think that’s really important. After all, most of us started our blogs for FUN, and if it stops being fun, there’s a problem.
Speaking of problems…
TMC Ladies, I am so clueless and need some help – I’m new at this! One, what on earth is a meme and how do I do Link Ups? And two, CommentLuv is not showing me any Luv. How do I get that to work?
Visit me – http://www.wonderfriend.com
Missy – A meme is like a “topic” that a blogger chooses to write about and sets up a linky for those that want to join in (who have also written about that “topic” on thier own blog).
And the comment luv is a plug-in for WP blogs. If you are not registered with the actual comment luv site, than your most recent post may not show up for a day or two – it will show another post until it “catches up.”
The last time out?!
OMG! It’s like the end of an era.
So glad I could join you today.
.-= Sophia’s Mom´s last blog ..Finally getting out there! =-.
Thank you, Heather, for helping me remember this: I gotta make time for ME. And, as always, good for you for doing what’s right for you NOW. xoxo
.-= denise´s last blog ..Watershed =-.
Totally agree w. the baby shower info! I’m not a fan of them at all and those games make me crazy!!! But hey, alcohol works. Mmmn. Glad you ended up having fun, and I’m sure everyone did, as well. I never like the assigned seats, but get how sometimes it has to be done. Ah, well. This is why I didn’t have a baby shower. 😉
.-= Good Girl Gone Redneck´s last blog ..Manic Monday =-.
I agree, those games drive me crazy! Just pass me the wine!
Ha Ha!!! I totally agree with serving a few cocktails and no Baby Bingo at Baby Showers.
I couldn’t agree more with your rules for baby showers! Mmmm it makes me thirsty for mimosas!
Yay for TMC growing so well! I am so thankful that you started it – and I thoroughly enjoy having a great place to network with other bloggers. THANK YOU for creating TMC!
My latest post: http://thewhitebluesky.com/2010/04/a-working-mom-on-the-brink-of-staying-home.html
i found your blog through Mrs. Hesson’s cute blog and wanted to tell you i LOVE it and can’t wait to follow along. i am an early first time preggo (10 weeks) and can use ALL the advice i can get!!!
AND i 100% agree with your baby shower DON’T’s – the seating arrangement, NO MA’AM. please do NOT tell me who to sit by and amen to the alcohol. no reason for a room full of ladies (who, are probably moms themselves and don’t get to get away for an afternoon much) who are perfectly capable, and WILLING to have a little cocktail to be neglected because the momma to be can’t drink. she’s not been able to drink for awhile, she’s not going to be upset if everyone else is …
have a great day, again, love your blog!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Thoughtless Thursday: Baby Style =-.
I’m glad you feel better about how to handle the privacy concerns going forward. And I’m anxious to see what else you have in store for us!
.-= A Belle, A Bean & A Chicago Dog´s last blog ..Singing and Dancing Her Heart Out! =-.
i really enjoy your blog theta mom and that isn’t just the extra shot in my latte talking! you are a very heartfelt person and don’t let anything get in the way of doing what you want on your blog – we all enjoy it immensely!
and i love your #3. but you probably already figured that.
.-= ericka @ alabaster cow´s last blog ..a link i love: the kind life =-.
Really? Assigned seating at a baby-shower? Never even occured to me.
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..It’s all about the call =-.
Yes, I’ve been to a few with arranged seating and when you are at a different table than the one you really want to be at, it changes the entire mood of the event!
Those baby shower rules cracked me up! My husband is Samoan and the way they do the baby showers is both guys/girls huge barbecue, music and of course booze. Some people say that is tacky, but it works for us.
I am sorry to see time out for Theta mom gone but I am even more sorry that in all this time you had time out Thursdays, I have never once been able to find an hour to myself. Depressing!
Looking forward to see what you have in store for Theta Mom.
Hi! So funny that you blogged about this, because I just wrote a post on my blog (with some great pics!) about the baby shower I just hosted for my sister… it was so much fun and we actually did play Baby BINGO but with pens, not M&M’s and the prize was fabulous and the game was actually fun!
GREAT shower tips! I have actually been to a couple of way-fun baby showers that followed these rules. My absolute favorite, though, was a guys-included baby shower, and the alcohol was flowing pretty freely. About an hour into the gift-opening the guests of honor unwrapped a brightly colored, one-piece, formless “thing” of an outfit and one of the guys yelled out, “What, are they having an oompa-loompa?!” He still gets teased about that!
.-= AngieB´s last blog ..Pegasus Parade and Why I Love my Boss =-.
I totally feel you! In fact, I can’t even link up today because I just plain don’t have time to write a post today!!
But I will say, I took a time out for most of the day Saturday to go to the CT Autism conference. Although that is not really “relaxation” time, it is very important for me. I am my son’s hugest advocate and like to get my hands on every bit of info I can. So I drove up, an hour away, with just my sister (who happens to be my BFF) and we enjoyed our day and a lunch together!
.-= Mommy To Two Boys´s last blog ..Autism Mom’s Group =-.
That sounds like you had a great time – good for you mama!!!
Hate to see this meme go but looking forward to what you have in store.
I never even thought of serving booz at a shower but oh man that would be so much better and just makes sense LOL.
.-= Texas Monkey´s last blog ..Thursday’s Tutorial – Ribbon Key Fob =-.
This is so funny because my mom and I are planning a baby shower for my sister-in-law and my mom insists on having the baby shower bingo! Do you think I can talk her out of it? I hate that game too, but she thinks that it gives everyone something to do while the prego opens up presents. At least I don’t have to play it since I am giving the shower!
My last shower…the one given for my sixth child two years ago, was a blast. My second oldest daughter and two friends put it together. I was surrounded by family and dear friends at a time when I was having daily contractions and some emotional ups and downs. I needed the socializing. This is really the most important thing about giving or attending a shower.
Keep up your wonderful work Thetamom! We’re with you all the way.
Kellie
.-= KellieS´s last blog ..Beautiful Daughter-Beautiful Hair =-.
Love the tips for baby showers…I completely agree!!
Good luck with the new venture. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
.-= Kmama´s last blog ..TYVM: 4/29/10 =-.
Great tips on the baby shower ! i so agree with it all and congrats on all the TMC members you have a great site ! and we all love it !
.-= Connie ´s last blog ..Some Sexy Ass Shoes !!!!!!! =-.
Love baby showers and love when they don’t play stupid games!!! Glad you had a good time and I completely agree with the alcohol being served!! My entire family got hammered at my baby shower!!!
.-= My Fantabulous Wonderful Life´s last blog ..Coachaholic??? =-.
I’m sad to see it leave but I totally understand. I look forward to see what you have in store for your awesome blog!
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..Really 10 Years? =-.
A baby shower without alcohol is just WRONG. I really love your tips, you hit all the important ones.
And change is good….
Sadie at heyMamas
Glad to see your thoughts on showers. I am hosting one this weekend with my daughters. We aren’t assigning seats, but I wondered if we should have an honorary table for the bride, the moms, grandmothers, and MOH. DEFINITELY NO GAMES *)
.-= Judy´s last blog ..Books That Make Sense =-.
Visited the Featured Blogger today … she’s awesome! ;0) Just joined TMC, but am excited to explore more … added the list to my Twitter account!
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..Are You Speaking Your Child’s Love Language? =-.
I am sure the best is yet to come with Theta Mom
It was awesome spending the very last Theta Mom Thursday with you in Real Life… we should make it a monthly real life meme.
.-= Complicated Mama´s last blog ..Forget “The Situation”, I went to highschool with “The Lesson”- apparently. =-.
Amen to that ThetaMom! I was nodding my head “Yes, yes, yes” to your baby shower list. I have thrown about a gazillion showers (so fun!) and I live by your rules.
.-= Your Mommy Friend Lori´s last blog ..The Age of Innocence =-.
WOW!
Some creepy stuff going on!
UGH!
Sad we have to worry about all that!
It’s been a while since I stopped by – I had fallen off the MommyBlogWagon for a bit but I am up and running again!
Will be checking in more often!
.-= My Semblance of Sanity´s last blog ..Fed Up Friday! =-.