The Pink Teapot is one year old!

One year ago (on July 10th) I started the Pink Teapot. How fitting that on an etiquette blog I'm late posting about my blogiversary, but that's life I guess! Thank you all for making this one of the most rewarding things I do!

Happy Independence Day

I cannot promise with summer and four little ones keeping me on my toes that I will be posting on my one year "anniversary" (which is on the 10th of July) but I am going to try. I would, however, like to wish my fellow Americans a Happy Independence day. I say Americans only because I know I have readers all over the world whom I very much love and I hope to continue to learn more about your holidays and traditions that I might be able to celebrate them as well.

Today's post is simple. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I have made past 4th of July holidays so busy that by the time it's over, I'm so exhausted, I can't even remember if I had fun. I'm to the point in my life where I do still love to entertain, but I have limits on how far I'm willing to take that. For example, my crowd will be just as happy with chicken and burgers as they would be with filet mignon rubbed with a homemade rub and homegrown potatoes slow roasted with homegrown herbs. I laugh as I write that because we do have an extensive garden thanks to my husband so some of those things happen anyway, but only out of convenience, I promise!

I have a post I did a while ago for Fancy Friday (ahhh, I miss Fancy Friday...let me get my kids back in school, we'll get there again, I promise)- on Flag etiquette. Maybe you'll learn something new, I know I did.

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take time to enjoy!

"I'm in the hospital for a baby" etiquette...?

Yes, I do realize the title of this post is not grammatically correct (disclaimer), but it works for my purposes.  

In honor of a dear friend who just had a baby, I'm going to talk about Hospital Etiquette when someone is going to or has had a baby.  I realize this is a sensitive subject and everyone is so different that there is no possible way to appease everyone, but I will try.

For the Mom's to be:

• This time is about your experience, your laboring to bring a life into this world.  It's a time that cannot be re-created or re-experienced.  You get one chance to spend time with the ones who are caring for you during labor and then with your sweet baby after delivery- remember that.
• It's okay to say no.  There is no cause to be rude.  Although sometimes we have people in our lives who are pushy or overstep their bounds, we can plan ahead, thus helping to minimize the "drama", let me explain:  the day you are in labor is the wrong day to discuss with your mother-in-law that you'd rather she not be in the room as you're delivering your baby.  Think ahead of people who you need to discuss this with and have a candid conversation with them.  If you are unable to do so in person (because of fear or logistics), a sweet email, filled with excitement about the new baby and a clear invite or boundary given, will help ease that tension.
• You need your rest:  This is more than an etiquette tip, it's advice from a mother of four.  I so enjoy company and love people, but the 48 or so hours we spend in the hospital with a newborn baby combined with the annoying (but necessary) interruptions of the hospital staff, do not create a restful environment to begin with.  Mix in all kinds of visitors and you're even more exhausted when you come home even if you thrive on people like I do. 

For the Visitor (family or otherwise):

• Please respect that it is not the end of the world if you are not there for the actual labor and delivery of your grandchild.  Although I understand it may feel that way, it's simply not the time to be imposing on another person.  I remember my sweet mother-in-law and I having conversations about this when I was pregnant with my first child and I remember her being so respectful of my wishes.  I actually wanted her there just after, and we told the family we'd call them.  My husband's family as well as mine respected that and we had all of our family around us within hours of my son's debut into this world.  
• Please don't ask if you can be there during labor and delivery- and don't just show up.  Again, this is a private thing, a painful thing, a wonderful thing.  There are so many emotions wrapped up into this event that make it special.  It should not be intruded upon by someone else, no matter who that person is.
• Don't get your feelings hurt.  My wise mother always says, "remember it's not about you, it's about them".  I am a tender-hearted person and I wear my heart on my sleeve, so I understand getting my feelings hurt, but this is not about you, this is about the person who is holding that little bundle of joy...remember that.
• Don't assume and bring children.  It's always best to not bring children to the hospital for so many reasons.  They press the call buttons, run around, bring germs along with their sweet faces...none of these things are appreciated.  A visit can always wait until they get home from the hospital so you can find someone to tend to your children to go and visit the baby and mother.

This by no means covers all things, but here are a few ideas.  I love to hear all about your experiences and the suggestions that you have to help.