Values Forum: Family Programs

Traditions - Births

"In our family everyone helped decorate the new baby's room before birth. At the beginning of mom's seventh month of pregnancy we all drew a colored paper from a special container. Written on these papers was an item which would be our responsibility to choose or provide, according to our age and ability. Items included things like wallpaper, paint, special blanket, lamp, mobile, crib toy, wall decoration, rug and even once a stroller, when the old one was beyond repair. Even the youngest child had an input by choosing a special stuffed animal. The colors were coded by age----in other words, the choices written on red paper were reserved for those under five years of age and so forth.

In this day and age when large families are not so common, the idea might be adapted to friends, as well as family members who would join together at a predetermined date and decorate the room together in a party atmosphere. This could become a variation of the traditional baby shower."
Pearl, Oakland, California

"Actually we haven't tried this yet, but I got the idea from Disney's Sleeping Beauty movie. The idea is to have a party and let everyone bring a written wish for the new baby. Examples: gift of compassion, beauty, honor, practical skills, good luck, adventure, good health. Of course we are not fairies, as were the three godmothers in Sleeping Beauty. We cannot wave our magic wands but we can put effort behind the wishes and make them come true. The most precious gift any of us can give is ourselves. Guests could pledge to give in addition to the wish, whatever it takes to acquire the trait wished for. The pledge would be followed up at an appropriate time with action: teaching typing or other job skills, lessons in good grooming, nutrition, hair or skin care, diet, efficiency hints, teach an instrument or language, make a dress or quilt, decorate a room or plant a garden together, learn to ride horses or go on an annual wish fulfillment hike together, write job resumes or college applications together, give flying or sailing, piano or surfing lessons. It is not enough to wish; the well-wisher must do something to make the wish come true--involve him or herself or arrange for someone else to tutor the recipient until the wish comes true."
Jenny in California