WDYT Should the birth of a child be Advertised?

[shelbylovesmelby]

In the light of the recent kidnapping in Missouri of the lil girl by a woman who passed by the home & saw a sign announcing the arrival of a new baby to the home.

Because of this fear & @ the time my oldest was born there were alot of kidnappings. Therefore we didn't feel comfortable with even putting any announcement on our lawn nonetheless in the paper.

WDYT Should the birth of the child be advertised via lawn decoration or via news paper announcements??

[PRICEPLUS]

Given some of the horror stories in the press I would hesitate to do it. It is a sad commnetary on our society but life is what it is.

[pearlieq]

I wouldn't put one of those giant storks out front, but that's just because I think they're tacky.

I don't really have a problem with putting a birth announcement in the paper or anything, but I doubt I'll think to do it. Honestly, I try not to get worked up about stuff like this. The odds of it happening are so low. It's a freak occurence and there isn't much we can reasonably do to prevent that type of thing from happening.

I don't want to live my life constantly looking over my shoulder. I take basic, regular safety precautions, but really what's going to happen is going to happen.

[JanH]

I think I would hesitate nowadays, also. Just like obituaries and wedding announcements in newspapers draw thieves to homes during funerals and weddings cos no one is there. When my children were small, a store we knew in the mall had a small child stolen out of a cart. The store manager quickly locked all entrances to the store. They found the child alone in the bathroom with its hair already cut and different clothes on. The people were not found, but had come into the store searching for a child to steal. From then on, I was extremely watchful. It scared me to death. It had only taken a few minutes. A couple of more and they would have been out of the store. I probably shouldn't have posted the signs in the yard that we got from the school with our daughter's graduation. People would have known we weren't home. But we have LOUD dogs.

[twinsmommy]

Someone decorated our yard last year when the twins were born. We put announcements in the papers where our parents live but not here because everyone from Texas already knew they were here.

I think that the chances of something happening are remote. If someone has decided to steal a baby ... they are going to do it. Whether it is a newspaper announcement or a Walmart parking lot.

I don't think that people are any worse today than 30 years ago, we just hear about all of the bad things because of access to the media. JMO.

[jodi]

Originally Posted by twinsmommy

I don't think that people are any worse today than 30 years ago, we just hear about all of the bad things because of access to the media. JMO.

Interesting that you should mention that. It reminded me of a documentary I saw that blamed the media for having people scared to death all the time over things with virtually no chance of happening (I think it wa Michael Moore). I had no hesitation to print my sons' birth announcements. I wouldn't put a sign in the front yard, but that's just a personal preference.

[creditcardfree]

Those that need to know of the announcement will know regardless of a sign or newspaper announcement. I'd err on the side of caution.

[veronak]

It is unfortunate that we live in a society where you have to choose to let people know if it is a boy or girl in fear of some psycho. I mean where would we draw the line? will we not tell co-workers or friends because they may want our children...it's sad

[Crystallas]

I dont see it as advertised, I see it as celebrated.

Living paranoid if not a good way to be.

[Snoopy2645]

Well I put in the paper with my 2 oldest but by the time my youngest came I didnt they have gotten so they dont do it much here anymore probably cause of all the scares I never hung a sign outside either I really didnt want unknown neighbors showing up to see my babies figured if I wanted someone to know they would know things got around quickly in my family always have for some reason LOL!!

[Broken Arrow]

Wow, what is this, scarey news day?

Well, I guess what I would really want to know is how someone driving by would be able to snatch the child? Maybe I'm not hearing this right, but is the door wide open or something? Perhaps people should just lock their doors from now on?

[Snoopy2645]

Well I do lock my doors but I think what is meant here is any weirdo will know you have a newborn in the house if you hang a sign but I kinda think these freaks start watching these women before they ever give birth like they see a pg women & start following her. Guess I am lucky I never showed with my kids I mean really no one ever even believed I was having a baby until I showed them the baby I guess I carried in my back or something but yes these are scary times we are living in.

I think the more recent stories out of them at least 2 knew thier attackers before from other ways very very sad anyone would do this very sad & very scary!!!!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

I wouldn't put one of those giant storks out front, but that's just because I think they're tacky.

Same here. I also wouldn't put signs up all over the neighborhood advertising that my partner was turning 40 or 50 or whatever, or put cow signs all over the lawn.

But I have no problem with sending out tasteful birth announcements. I wouldn't put it in the paper because anyone we care about would be getting an announcement.

[Gruntina]

I rather have the signs indoor if were a welcome back for the mom and baby announcement and just keep it a family thing. But no matter the news and what is going on, we always have to be careful and watch our back when it comes to protecting any memeber of the family. Lock the doors and etc.

[JanH]

Lock your car doors, also! I have had men try to get into my car on three different occasions at stop lights or stop signs. My dad drilled into us to lock the doors and I'm glad now that it is a habit. The guy that tried to get into my driver's door--I drove through that red light to get away from him.

[Gruntina]

Originally Posted by JanH

Lock your car doors, also! I have had men try to get into my car on three different occasions at stop lights or stop signs. My dad drilled into us to lock the doors and I'm glad now that it is a habit. The guy that tried to get into my driver's door--I drove through that red light to get away from him.

Wow! scary... just curious.. what kind of car do you have?

[JanH]

It happened with other cars before this one. Neither of which were fancy or expensive cars. Just happened to be a lone girl/woman in the vehicle. Right now I have a used mustang. Can't get a thing in the darn trunk.

[JanH]

The first time it happened, I was driving a twelve year old Chrysler tank belonging to my parents.

[boefixepa]

I'd never do it personally, but I could see a friend or a spouse putting up a welcome home sign or something....but I don't see a need to advertise it, but that's just me. I can see me sending a birth annoucement with pics to faraway family members, but again, just to family. If you don't know me, why would you care if I had a baby? If you know me...you know I'm going to have a baby....I'm not after attention so I don't think I need to worry about the mail man driving around knowing!

[debtfreeme]

nope. if i ever have kids it will be announced to good family and friedns in cute little announcements but not in the paper or on the lawn.