Every Expectant Mom Deserves a Baby Shower Like Meghan Markle’s
The day Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s romance went public, Meghan became one of the most famous women in the world. Formerly a mildly popular American actress from her show Suits, her life turned into a real life fairy tale when she joined the British royal family.
And who isn’t completely obsessed with the royal family? Fans worldwide love the idea of their legacy, their class, and their outward commitment to family values. Plus, we know we’re watching history in the making.
The interest in these celebrities isn’t new. I still remember, as a child, my mother watching Princess Diana’s funeral. My mom had tears in her eyes despite never having met the “People’s Princess.”
There is just something about the royals that sparks an interest, especially in Americans. Maybe it’s because we don’t have our own royalty. Now that Meghan Markle is part of the royal family as Prince Harry’s wife, we feel like a piece of America gets to take part in the historical significance we all love.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are easy to adore. Their worldwide philanthropic efforts, sweet natures, and undeniable love for each other is a breath of fresh air in our modern world.
Meghan Markle’s baby bump
And of course we can’t forget the newest addition to the royal family: Meghan’s adorable baby bump, making the couple expectant parents. All the more endearing. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s baby is more famous in utero than most grown people in the world.
The speculation and excitement surrounding their baby is eye catching in a culture that is moving away from the historic priority of having a family. According to CNN, couples in today’s culture aren’t producing enough children for the American population to replace itself. People are choosing to have fewer children—or no children at all. Quite the drift from the Baby Boomers’ family planning merely one generation ago.
The world at large is proving, though, that despite this decline in child bearing, there is still something special about babies. Celebrating an expectant mom isn’t on the out anytime soon. Especially a mom like Meghan Markle carrying the next generation of royalty.
A shower for the Duchess
Interestingly, though baby showers are a joyful tradition among many countries, they are not a British tradition.. Meghan Markle traveled back to the U.S. recently just for a baby shower hosted by her American friends.
Sure, she likely doesn’t want or need a thing for little baby on its way. Still her friends wanted to celebrate her becoming a mother.
It proves that baby showers have a purpose beyond the bottles, onesies, diapers, and stroller. Showers are about so much more than the financial aid they give to new moms.
Baby showers are also a way of celebrating new little lives and welcoming new mothers into the wonderful community of motherhood.
A shower for every mom
During both of my pregnancies, my friends and family celebrated me and our sweet sons-to-be. Friends hosted multiple baby showers for me before I had my oldest son. They gave me a sweet “baby sprinkle” before I had my youngest.
The celebrations were a huge help with the cost of the numerous baby items needed. Even more, though, it was a lot of fun to come together with so many people I love to celebrate the new life growing inside of me. I was meaningfully and excitedly ushered into each new life stage: motherhood, then mom of two.
As a mom, I needed that support. One of the greatest lessons motherhood is teaching me is that I cannot do it alone. We’ve all heard that it takes a village to raise a child. And let me tell you, it does!
I reach out to my village every single day. You might find me on a phone call to my mom or sisters-in-law who live out of state. Some days I ask a friend to watch my sons so I can go workout. Often I request prayer from my church small group. I also share a funny mom meme with friends because we all need a laugh.
It’s good to be the village for other moms. I use social media to give an authentic peek into what motherhood and marriage really looks like in my life. Sometimes that means sharing about a way that I messed up. Sometimes that means sharing a certain way I’m struggling. And sometimes that means sharing that despite the difficulty that comes with motherhood, I would never choose a different path for my life.
I am incredibly thankful that God has directed that path intentionally, and chosen such amazing people to be a part of my village.
So whether we’re royal or middle-class missionaries from Ohio, baby showers are so much more than the presents we receive. Baby showers are about the entrance into a new, magical, and sanctifying life stage. Plus an invitation into the new parent community that you choose to surround yourself with.
Bottom line, even if we can’t spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to shower a new mom the way Meghan Markle was showered, every single mom-to-be most definitely deserves to feel included in her new club and treated like a princess for a day.
Copyright © 2019 Jenn Grandlienard. All rights reserved.
Jenn Grandlienard grew up an East Coast Philly girl, but now loves calling the Midwest her home. She lives in Xenia, Ohio with her husband, Stuart, two sons, Knox and Zeke, and pup, Stella. Jenn and her husband work with Athletes in Action, a ministry of Cru that teaches college athletes what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. She loves to read, work out, laugh really hard with friends, and spend time with her husband and boys. You can check out her blog about all these things and more at HiItsMeJenn.com. Find her on Instagram at @heyjenngrand and on Facebook.
