Hand me downs rant

earthmama2011 · April 2013

I know this sounds completely rude and ungrateful but I just have to say I am so tired of getting crappy hand me downs!!!! I'm talking about worn out clothes, stained clothes etc. I'm not even sure if a thrift store would accept them! It feels like people are just giving us their garbage.

When I give hand me downs I always make sure they are clean, washed and folded and the correct season (and still fashionable;). We had this "problem" with DD and now that we are expecting DS we are having the same issue. We can provide for our children no problem so it's not like we are desperate for clothes. Anyone else have this problem?

Thank you, rant over!

*Edit* I've never actually been asked if I would like/need any items, people just seem to bring a bag or box and say "here you go". I didn't even know people normally asked!!! lol Good point though, I would definitely decline if asked.

mrhargr · April 2013

If you don't want hand-me-downs, just say thanks but no thanks. You don't have to accept everything people want to give you.

BeckyTheEngineer · April 2013

When I had my first, my neighbor generously gave me a bunch of her maternity clothes. However, it was winter clothes (for my July baby) and we do not remotely wear the same size. I kept it, and ultimately donated everything. Same thin

earthmama2011 · April 2013

I never know if I should return them (most of the items are from friends that are done having kids) or just donate or garbage them. If they don't specify that they want them back are they mine to do with as I please?

Snapdragon750 · April 2013

Sorry but this is basically the definition of looking a gift horse in the mouth. I've gotten plenty of hand-me-downs that I don't like, and I said thank you for the whole bunch and donated what I wouldn't use.

Either say you don't want them

tinychefjackson · April 2013

There is a tutorial on Pinterest about how to make old, stained baby clothes just like new, if that helps. I understand the frustration, but please remember that people are just trying to be helpful and generous. Most likely they are, in no way, trying

Courtimilk · April 2013

I can understand the clothes being the ''wrong season'' as many things can be wore year round; and I can understand having to wash them again as some things can smell a touch stale after too long.

The IL's went garage sailing hardcore when they f

margot209 · April 2013

I'm sure anyone giving you hand me downs is doing so out of the kindness of their hearts, nothing else, so be greatful for the gesture.

Just like with any gifts you don't want or aren't appropriate, donate them. There are mothers out

Wmomma22 · April 2013

I have had this problem, I don't mind hand me downs, but it is rude to just give me your garbage, I got like 6 garbage bags full of clothes, I only ended up keeping about 1 garbage bag full after sorting through it and most of it was stained and super wor

kimberly_ann81 · April 2013

I take it all, say thing you and then sort threw it all. I make three piles; keep, donate, and throw away.

dakardi12 · April 2013

ftm here and i was so excited to finally get to buy my own baby clothes. then i was told to stop because my sister inlaw had a ton of clothes she was sending us. no choice in the matter and i felt like i would insult her if i didnt take them. now ds do

bumpuser5078523 · April 2013

I donate anything I dont want or need. If they want stuff returned, i dont take it.

Kelli2507 · April 2013

I had this issue w DD. I feel like people genually want to help and it makes them feel good, I just do them the favor of throwing away their trash for them and say thanks. We had this issue when we bought our house too. It was like people thought we could

Kelli2507 · April 2013

dakardi12:
ftm here and i was so excited to finally get to buy my own baby clothes. then i was told to stop because my sister inlaw

kreeper611 · April 2013

I would ask if they want the items back after you use them. If not, then whatever I didn't want I'd either toss or take to Goodwill.

Or you can simply say that you've gotten SO many things at this point you really do

mben1119 · April 2013

Wow...Do you realize how ingrateful you sound? Some people would love to have those second hand clothes for their LO. If you can't use it, donate it to someone who can. Stop whining about people being generous.

[Deleted User] · April 2013

I understand what you mean. It's nice that people are trying to be helpful, but it would be awesome if they didn't give you ratty, stained clothing. That just creates more work for you.

kennazebrowsky · April 2013

kimberly_ann81:
I take it all, say thing you and then sort threw it all. I make three piles; keep, donate, and throw awa

allysonsmommy · April 2013

I understand what you mean! I dont think it seems "ungrateful" like PP said.In your post you specifically said stained and worn out clothes a thrift store most likely wouldn't take. Stuff like that just creates more work for you and if youre like me, I wa

ESD_0707 · April 2013

This happens to me once in awhile from SIL, but I just donate anything I don't want to use. Also, those clothes make great paint/mud clothes for messy playtime!

Ready4theParty · April 2013

margot209:
Just like with any gifts you don't want or aren't appropriate, donate them. There are mothers out there who n

sweetpea2003 · April 2013

FWIW, stains often appear on clothing after you have stored them.

For example, I personally do not keep clothing that is very worn/stained. I toss it out when they grow out of it (or when it gets bad enough that I won't let my kids wear it

MrsMommyofDom · April 2013

Omg...this annoys me so much. I had so many hand me downs from ds1 and everyone who did it...wanted to see him in it. So i had to keep everything and dress him in it and take a picture and send it to them. Some of the clothes i asked myself "what the hell

JaimeCH · April 2013

I would love it if anyone offered me hand me downs. My sister gave me all of her daughter's clothes for DD and it was so nice to not have to buy things like sleepers, onsies, etc that don't really matter what they look like. It was quite the luxury tha

pinkiemo · April 2013

I'm always grateful for hand me downs but there comes a point when you do start to feel like a recycling center. I got a bunch of wrong season clothes, toys that were missing parts and... Old wipes. I'm talking five years old dried wipes. &

earthmama2011 · April 2013

Thank you everyone for letting me vent! Sorry if I offended anyone but as I stated the majority of these clothes are so worn and stained that they can not even be donated. Trust me, I wouldn't be complaining if they were at least salvageable

Y

Snapdragon750 · April 2013

dakardi12:
ftm here and i was so excited to finally get to buy my own baby clothes. then i was told to stop because my sister

lily_721 · April 2013

I have tons of hand me down clothes coming. DH and I can certainly afford buying our own clothes but I am extremely grateful for all that has been given to us. My SIL gave me a ton of baby stuff; I have three piles: keep, pass on, goodwill. I will n

sherina825 · April 2013

Kelli2507:
dakardi1

markhamgurl · April 2013

BeckyTheEngineer:
I felt a little rude, but really, I am not a goodwill drop center.

lisa5201 · April 2013

I understand the rant, but I guess you just have to accept and donate/toss,however I'm in the same dilemma

My neighbor just came by with a box of clothes, most of which are in pretty good condition, but NOT my style, at all. Nothing I would want

PrimRoseMama · April 2013

Um, you do sound dreadfully ungrateful. Take what you want. Reuse/repurpose what you can't use. There are families that can barely afford to clothe their children during these tough times. If you don't want items consider washing them and trying to donate

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