Can We Please Make “Tween” Showers a Thing for Moms?

First-time moms-to-be (bless their little hearts) often find themselves navigating the vast ocean of parenting with only a paper map. So it’s perfectly natural that as their pregnancy progresses, we rally around them to ensure they have all the essentials through the beloved tradition of baby showers. Sure, they might feature ridiculous games (seriously, how many melted candy bars in diapers can one person endure?), but these gatherings serve a far more vital purpose: sharing the wisdom of motherhood. They help prepare new moms for the wild ride ahead. Nestled among the adorable baby outfits and bath products is a powerful message: We’ve been there, and we want you to thrive.

But what happens when those sweet little newborns morph into the confusing creatures we call preteens? You’d think that after a decade of parenting, we’d have it all figured out. But no, as soon as they hit double digits, bizarre hormonal shifts and eye-rolling behaviors leave us just as bewildered as when they were tiny bundles of joy. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could celebrate “post-baby” showers to offer much-needed support during this awkward transition into teendom? Here are some gift ideas that would be perfect for these occasions:

Body Wash, Deodorant, and Mouthwash

Preteens may have moved past diaper days, but let’s be real: their hygiene becomes a whole new challenge. Body odor and foot funk can be real issues. A thoughtful gift of hygiene essentials would be a welcomed relief for both the preteen and the mom, especially if it avoids the disaster of body sprays being used in excess to mask the smell instead of a good wash.

Grocery Store Gift Cards

New moms receive loads of help with feeding their infants, but what about the preteen stage when kids suddenly eat like ravenous beasts? A gift card for groceries would be a lifesaver for moms whose food bills are soaring as their kids inhale snacks faster than they can shop for them.

Clothing

While we shower new moms with cute baby clothes, preteens are also notorious for outgrowing their wardrobe at remarkable speeds, and their clothing is not nearly as cheap! A stash of various-sized jeans would be a hit for any mom trying to keep up with her kid’s sudden growth spurts.

Self-Help Books

Expectant mothers often have a pile of books on baby care, but as kids enter this strange new phase, there’s just as much to learn. Titles like What to Expect When Your Kid Suddenly Thinks You’re Unfair would be invaluable additions to any preteen mom’s reading pile.

Tutoring Services

Elementary school homework is a breeze compared to the middle school challenges that come with preteens. A gift certificate for tutoring services would be a fantastic present for the mom who’s forgotten everything about algebra or who just wants to avoid conflicts over homework.

Digital Downloads

While babies might appreciate soothing lullabies, nothing calms a cranky preteen quite like screen time. Gift cards for downloading music, movies, or games would be a blessing for moms facing the unpredictable mood swings of their tweens.

Ibuprofen and Wine

For mom, of course. Because, preteens.

Baby showers are a wonderful way to help new moms prepare for the often bumpy journey of raising an infant. But if anyone is about to face a challenge, it’s the mom whose kid is entering the tumultuous teen years. Let’s start a trend of showering love and support on new tween moms, because they’re about to discover that wiping noses and bottoms was just the beginning of the adventure.

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Summary: The idea of hosting “tween” showers for moms of preteens is gaining traction as a way to provide essential support during this challenging transition. With gift ideas ranging from hygiene products to tutoring services, these showers would offer both practical help and much-needed camaraderie for moms navigating the complexities of raising tweens.