My mother in law has made it her purpose in life to continually send our 1 year old daughter clothes. This wouldn't be a bad thing if it wasn't for the clothes being extremely frilly, little-house on-the-prairie-style, impractical and completely out of sync with my tastes. She buys most of them at an overpriced boutique in the midwest where she lives and it's impossible for me to take them back. I don't know how to get out of NOT putting my daughter in these clothes and finding a new home for them. My mother in law is coming out this week and I'm sure she is going to expect to see some of the outfits on her. ARGH!!
2006-07-25 10:27:13 · 26 answers · asked by Punky Brewster 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I appreciate all the input everyone has given me. I put my daughter in this 'birthday smock' she got yesterday for daycare and took pictures of her in it. Even though it wouldn't have been my choice, all the teachers said how cute she looked. Go figure. And I told my MIL over the phone that I really liked everything (small fib) so crisis is diverted for now.
I can honestly say that it is a waste of money, but she is the one spending it and my husband said this is her 'therapy'. So be it. If I decide to sell them on eBay, I guess then it would be my income!
Now if I could just survive the weekend....
2006-07-27 05:26:36 · update #1
Keep the least awful of the outfits (so you can show the mother in law) or take a few pictures of your child in some of the outfits (that you can send to the mother in law at various times and pretend your child wears the clothes normally) and give the rest to charity.
2006-07-25 10:31:33 · answer #1 · answered by wanderklutz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep maybe one outfit, each time she sends a batch, just so Grandma can see her in it. eBay the rest - there are all kinds of people out there!
If Grandma asks where all the clothes are, you'll have to tell the truth. Just explain kindly that your daughter is uncomfortable in such beautiful, fancy clothing and that it upsets you and the balance of your household to make your child uncomfortable. Then maybe she'll send some good stuff - or at least won't send the yucky stuff.
This should probably be your husband's responsibility - after all, it is his mother. Just don't let him be mean about it, or say it's all your fault.
2006-07-25 13:56:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how bad they are, I might keep one outfit for her to wear when MiL is there. What harm would it do? As for the rest, give them away to a charity. And have your husband tell his mom that the clothes are not exactly your daughter's taste. If she is spending all that money, there are a lot of very nice clothes that she could buy.
2006-07-25 10:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by brian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually let my kids wear the god awful outfit around the person who gave it to them at least a few times, as it is always the thought that counts. You can also try just being honest with your MIL tell her while you love the thought and gesture her taste in clothes just isn't the same as yours. The outfits she sends are way to impractical (too hot, too frilly or whatever) just be nice and explain why they're not practical for your DD.
HTH
2006-07-25 10:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by Camrnhill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to be honest with her, tactfully. If she wants to buy a few outfits from the boutique then let her but tell her that you like to put your daughter in clothes that take wear and tear better. So, you don't have to worry about what she is doing in her clothes IE: painting or making mud pies.
2006-07-25 11:15:43 · answer #5 · answered by S G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been through this one and didn't want to hurt my MIL's feelings so instead of telling her not to buy the clothes I told her that it would be more practical if she wanted to buy my daughter something to buy her savings bonds. At least those can be used for college or something that is going to help her in the future. I told her that my daughter was growing out of clothes too fast to spend alot of money on them, not to mention that she ruins alot of them when she goes out and plays.
2006-07-26 14:00:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least you didn't get a bag of baby clothes from the 2nd hand store like I did from my sister-in-law. I'm not ungrateful it's just that we were able to afford reasonably priced NEW clothing. Besides, it was my 1st baby, I wanted her in clean,new clothes being the germ-phobic that I can be. Grin and bear it. Put her in an outfit during her visit, accidentially spill juice on her(ooops!!) then put your daughter in more comfy clothes.
2006-07-25 13:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by mooseny35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you be honest with her and tell her you do not like her choice in clothing for your child because they are really not practical. Tell her you would love to go shopping with her or that you could really use a gift card so you can get what the child needs. You need to be honest in order to avoid hurt feelings and the continual purchase of clothing your child can not wear.
2006-07-25 10:31:49 · answer #8 · answered by Starla_C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When she comes over make sure your daughter is in one of the outfits. Then she will say Oh you look so cute in that , or something like that. Then i would tell her thank you for the dresses but instead of sending dresses if you want you could send jeans for winter she could really use those.
2006-07-25 11:37:30 · answer #9 · answered by amber h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your husband talk to her and tell her that the cloths don't fit her right and to send a gift card for a store instead, or get her a savings bond for college. Make sure he let's her know that you appreciate the thought and the help. Good luck!!
2006-07-25 12:08:29 · answer #10 · answered by Jacob's Mommy (Plus One) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋