A Combined Baby Shower for Two Family Members Threatened to Turn Into a Disaster, but One Gift Changed Everything

For convenience, I had to throw a combined baby shower for my daughter and daughter-in-law, even though my DIL thought she deserved her own party. This left me worried that the celebration might turn sour, but little did I know that one unexpected gift was all we needed to save the day.

The news of becoming a grandmother twice filled me with joy. My son Ethan and his wife, Clara, were expecting their first child, and my daughter Olivia had surprised us with her own pregnancy announcement.

Though Olivia wasn't married, my excitement for both babies bubbled up equally inside me. Later, when I realized that their due dates were close, I thought a combined baby shower would be the best option, particularly because we had several family members who would need to travel to attend.

But Clara wasn't so pleased with the idea.

"Carol, I think we should do separate showers," Clara said after I told her. We sat in my sunny kitchen, the morning light streaming through the windows onto the worn wooden table where we'd shared so many family meals. "It's just... this is my first baby. I want it to be special."

I stirred my coffee slowly. "Honey, asking so many family members to come here on two separate occasions when it can easily be arranged for their convenience is selfish. You'll still get your own special moments."

"But it's not the same," Clara continued, looking away before she added, "Olivia's situation is different."

"Different how?" I asked.

"You know what I mean," she mumbled, gulping.

I pursed my lips. Yes, I realized what she meant. Apparently, my daughter's baby wasn't as important because she was unmarried and the father wasn't in the picture.

"Both babies are equally important to me," I insisted. Luckily, my baking timer rang, alerting me that the cookies in the oven were ready, so, I had an excuse to end this conversation.

But the issue wasn't over, and the next day, I got a call from Clara's mother, Deirdre, who lived in another country and couldn't be here at all to host a baby shower.

"My daughter told me what you're planning," Deirdre said. "I think she deserves her own special day, right? Anyway, I'm sending some money to help with the arrangements. I hope you make the right decision and make my daughter happy."

I wasn't sure if she was threatening me or what, but the money appeared in my account.

What could I do? Did I really have to throw two showers? Wouldn't that be ridiculous? Could I manage it on the weekend? Could I ask my family to come to Clara's party on Saturday and Olivia's on Sunday?

A few nights later, I called my son, who was surprisingly on my side. "Mom, the best thing is to throw one baby shower for both. Olivia is totally on board. Clara will just have to deal with it. It's wasteful doing two. Use Deirdre's money to make Clara's chosen theme look better."

I agreed, and I went on with my plans.

Finally, the day of the shower arrived. I'd decorated my backyard with soft yellow and mint green streamers, balloons, and flowers. Since neither Clara nor Olivia had learned her baby's gender, they chose these neutral colors.

But I went a little more extravagant with the yellow part, thanks to Deirdre's contribution. The rest of my lawn was dotted with white folding chairs, and the tables had all kinds of finger foods and punch.

Clara and Ethan arrived early. My daughter-in-law's face was set in a full-blown pout. She barely acknowledged the decorations I'd spent hours arranging. My heart sank as I watched her settle into a chair near the gift table with her arms crossed over her baby bump.

My son rolled his eyes and mouthed, "Ignore it."

I tried my best, although I worried that Clara would be in a sour mood all day and possibly ruin the shower.

But the guests began filtering in, distracting me as they filled the yard with cheerful chatter and laughter.

A while later, I noticed that everyone was there, but not my daughter. Had Clara done something?

But Olivia finally arrived and asked for help getting a large gift box out of her car. Ethan carried it inside. It was wrapped in silver paper with a beautiful white bow.

"This is for you," Olivia said, instructing her brother to place the box in front of Clara. "I know it's not traditional to open gifts before everyone else, but I really want you to have this now."

Clara's eyes bulged, and the entire family turned to look as she unwrapped the package. When she saw what was inside, her eyes went even wider. "A Snoo bassinet?" she whispered. "But... how did you know?"

"Ethan mentioned you'd been researching them," Olivia said. "I know they're expensive, but I got a bonus at work, and well... our babies will be cousins. I want them both to have the best start possible."

Tears welled up in Clara's eyes. She stood up and hugged Olivia, their pregnant bellies making it awkward, but neither seemed to care.

"Thank you," she said. "I can't believe it." And then her gaze landed on me. "I'm sorry I've been so difficult about everything."

"Oh, darling," I gushed as I got close. "I know how it feels when it's your first child. You want everything to feel special, to feel like you're doing a good job. But trust me, all you need is family around you."

Clara nodded and hugged me. The rest of the shower was much better after that. Clara also had a gift for Olivia, and although it wasn't as extravagant as the bassinet, it was still thoughtful.

Afterward, my daughter-in-law helped serve cake, laughed at the silly baby shower games, and genuinely smiled when opening her other gifts.

As guests began to leave, she pulled me aside.

"Carol," she said, "I know I already apologized, but I wanted to say that watching everyone celebrate both babies together... it felt right. Like family should be."

"That's what I've wanted all along," I said, smiling brightly as I squeezed her hand. "I'm not saying that we'll combine everything. But sometimes, doing things together makes it special."

"I get it, now," she nodded, and together, we turned to watch as Olivia and Ethan bid goodbye to the rest of the guests.

Soon, two little cousins will be running in this yard… maybe more. This was a great way to start that journey.

Here's another story: After being cheated on in the past, I thought I'd found a great and loyal husband, and then I met his "work wife." I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but his dismissive attitude and their increasingly close relationship left me no choice. The ultimatum was coming.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided "as is," and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.