Baby showers have long been the domain of the expectant mother and a circle of female friends and relatives. You can expect a few cute games, a bit of cake and maybe a glass of bubbly to toast the mum-to-be.
All in all, whether you like or loathe them, it’s safe to say that baby showers are a very civilised affair.
Or at least they were, until the dads-to-be decided that they wanted in on the act too.
Yes, ‘Man-showers’ or ‘Dad-Chelor parties’ are now a legitimate thing.
According to HuffPost Parents, Pinterest searches for “man showers” increased by 149% in 2015. The mind boggles.
Credit: Instagram
A quick look at the #dadchelorparty tag on Instagram reveals that the dad centric events usually involve barbecues, beer and poker. Other shenanigans include going to footy games, playing golf and of course, dressing up in nappies.
Family therapist Martine Oglethorpe says that becoming a dad is a rite of passage and a ‘man shower’ might be a good way to celebrate.
“A beer and barbeque type scenario may help give men a time and place to openly discuss the joys and challenges of fatherhood, which can only be a good thing,” she says.
“It could be a good way to involve men in the preparation for the impending birth rather than simply putting the cot together and can further open up discussion about the role of the father in those early days.”
So what do the mums-to-be think?
Joanne, who is 35 weeks pregnant with her first baby, says that it depends on the personality of the expectant father, as some men might find the idea a bit over the top at a time when the mum-to-be should really be the centre of attention.
Credit: Instagram
However, Joanne also notes that she doesn’t see anything wrong with the idea. “After all, while they’re not giving birth, it’s their baby too, so surely they have a right to celebrate as well,” she says.
On the other hand, Sarah, who has just had her first baby, says that traditionally the dad gets to celebrate after the baby’s arrival when he gets together with his friends to ‘wet the baby’s head’.
“Why should they get to celebrate twice?” she asks.
“It’s not a rite of passage; it’s just another excuse to get drunk.”
Of course not all dads would jump at the chance to go to a ‘man shower’. Paul, a father of five from Melbourne, says that he thinks the label would put a lot of people off.
“I wouldn’t call it a shower, it’s just a catch up with mates,” he said.
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