LilSisShelly

We got given some stuff today for the little one and it's great, because there is a big age gap between the littlest and next child. Hence mom has nothing for her.

We were told that they had offered the stuff to a few people who turned them down. I don't get it-why?

bunbun

Some people are snobs and don't like to put worn clothing on their child. hey are also probably the people behind on their mortgage, maxed out on their credit cards and a payment from repossession on the minivan. Some people just don't get that used clothing (that isn't completely worn out or ruined) is the best way to save money. You can buy a couple new outfits for special occasions and use everything else for play and everyday and save a bundle.

cashel

I was really saddened to read in your message that some people had turned down the clothes you were given ........
mind you, that turned out to be your gain :-)

My daughter had her first baby in May. During her pregnancy she was given articles of baby clothing, baby equipment etc. She was very grateful for everything she received; as she said "It isn't worth buying expensive stuff, the baby won't be in them for very long"

The things that she herself bought for the baby were all second hand.
I had a great time searching through charity (thrift) shops for baby clothes.

Thomas is almost ready to move from his (borrowed) Moses basket to his cot. I am busy making sheets for the cot. I have bought large-sized bed sheets (from charity shops) and I've cut each sheet in to four. I shall hem round the loose edges and Janine will have a pile of sheets for a few pence.

Whilst Thomas may not have brand-new designer clothes and baby equipment (and would he know if he did) he receives loads of quality time from his parents and from my husband and me ........... and that is priceless!

1wahmom

I had the same problem with my kids. My son was almost 7 1/2 years older than my daughter. So, by the time she came along we had very few baby items left and what we did was for a baby boy, not a baby girl. So, I had some very good friends who would bring me gently used items and I appreciated this so much! I also had one friend in particular who liked to go to yard sales alot. Needless to say, she was able to find me tons of adorable outfits that I used throughout my daughter's first two years.

meri

Handmedowns are awesome for play time, and with kids just about anytime is playtime. Those who wish to not save thats fine, but not something I would ever turn down. Clothes can always go to good use, even if your kids cant use them someone else might be able to.

VTGal

It could be them being "snobs". I have seen people like this (my husband's cousin refuses to take any hand-me-downs from me, even those that are in perfect condition and with brand names). However, I have turned down clothes before because my kids had enough clothes already and I didn't have space for them. I love hand-me-downs, through. Clothes are way to expensive, and kids grow to fast to keep up with them!

LilSisShelly

Cashel, you make a good point. The time spent with the parents or family is of far greater value, and that is easier to come by if you are not out working to provide designer goods.

bunbun

I've taken to keeping a file of close friends with kids, their ages and approximate sizes so I know offhand if I can take something and redistribute it to someone else. That way I know that the two trashbags of boys clothes aren't much good to me but my neighbor can use them and will watch for girls clothes for me in return.

nina

I shop at our local Goodwill store a lot. Sometimes you can find clothes that are brand new that still have the tags on them there. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wrong with hand me downs. I buy a lot of my daughter's play clothes at it, plus some of mine. I only turn down clothes when we have so many that I don't have any place for them.

mom2only1

Perhaps you are jumping to conclusions and the other people refused the hand-me-downs because they already had too much stuff?

That happened a lot with us, I was the last in my family to have a baby, so all my siblings gave us their hand me downs and I couldn't use them all. I had to say "no thanks" to kind neighbors and friends who offered more.