DirectCall: Ask The Operator [BABY SHOWER BRAWL]

**from time to time, we here at the offices of THE OPERATOR receive some letters asking us our advice. Always one to lend a helping hand, THE OPERATOR will answer these questions in an effort to make the world a better place.**



Dear The Operator:

Recently I threw a baby shower for a friend of mine who is seven months pregnant. She has a five year old child by one man who is not the father of the child she is currently carrying. In an effort to make everyone happy, I invited both men and their friends and family to the shower.

Well, after the compulsory party games and gift giving, we all settled in to eat some food and to party it up a bit. This is where it all went wrong. The mother-to-be was having a beer (there is nothing wrong with alcohol in moderation when you are pregnant- just look at Britney Spears and Gwenyth Paltrow) and her 5 year old wanted to try it, so she gave him a sip. The five year old's father freaked out and caused a riot. By the time all was said and done, three people were arrested, one person was shot and the mother-to-be ended up getting beaten with a stick.

My questions to you are this: Do I still need to send thank you notes for everyone who helped me plan and set up the shower? Would another shower be recommended to make up for this catastrophe? And if I do need to throw another shower, would a pinata be an appropriate party game?

signed, Shower Intrigue Left Lady Yelling

Dear SILLY,

The Operator does think that Thank You notes are still in order, no matter how poorly the party ended up. Violence is no excuse for a lack of Gratitude! We also think that another shower is necessary, so why not couple the thank you notes with the new invitations. There is nothing like killing two birds with one stone.

The reason The Operator thinks you should throw another shower is this: we don't want the mother to remember the shower as a negative experience nor do we wish to have the child look at their baby book years in the future and have mugshots as the only photographic proof of the fun that was had. And we think it would be appropriate to theme this next shower. How about a fun 30's gangster theme or a snazzy Mexican fiesta. Then you could definitely use the pinata!