I promise I'm not changing the topic but I do have a question! The blankets and quilts that people make for you, since newborns can't have bedding, what do you do with them?
Take a picture of baby laying on them to send to the gift giver and then stick them in storage. You can also use them on the floor for tummy time/ play time. 😀
@thechickendance I used them for tummy time as well as covering DD in a the stroller when we were out and about. Also used them draped over the car seat in stores when she was sleeping.
@thechickendance - Frankly, we got about 5 of those and they just awaited the time when my son started asking for a blanket in his crib (he’s always been in a sleep sack and so never needed anything), and I obliged. That was a few months ago (he’s two).
I promise I'm not changing the topic but I do have a question! The blankets and quilts that people make for you, since newborns can't have bedding, what do you do with them?
Take a picture of baby laying on them to send to the gift giver and then stick them in storage. You can also use them on the floor for tummy time/ play time. 😀
YUP. Take the courtesy pic and then use them for tummy time until they’re safe to have blankies. I draped my favorite over the back of the rocking chair
Agree with storage on all the blankets! I keep one thrown over the glider. The rest are in a closet. So. Many. Blankets. After DD was born, my mom wanted to make ANOTHER one. She had already made one. Good thing she’s kinda lazy and never made it.
STMs, how do you deal with items that are gifted to you, but that you will never use, and it'll be very obvious to the gifter that you're not using it?
My IL's surprised us with a crib/bassinet that they want us to use in their house when we're there. Problem is, it's a really old, hand made thing that looks rickety and unstable and is DEFINITELY not up to code. Seriously, it looks like it'll fall apart if you touch it. There's also a huge gap between the mattress and the bed frame, who knows how old the mattress is and it's not a standard size so I can't buy a new one. There is no way my baby is going anywhere near it. My IL's are so excited about it though! It was built by someone in the family for someone else in the family (who are probably in their 90's now, lol). Obviously they will notice if I bring a pack 'n play to their house. Which, by the way! H's aunt offered her pack 'n play to us too that is um... well loved. By a million kids and also probably a handful of cats.
I feel like I'm snubbing them for not accepting, and I probably made it worse by initially pretending to like it and thanking them (I panicked, don't judge). I know I can say it doesn't look up to code, but I can just hear them in my head going "Well, so-and-so slept in it, and they survived!". What would you do in this situation? Anyone encountered anything similar?
DS born 2/18/2019 DD born 4/1/2023 Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
@grebretso - I know ILs are harder than our own parents but the first time we were bringing my son home to Seattle to visit, my mom and stepdad put together a crib from 2004 (my nephew’s crib). I had no idea they were planning on doing that, and when I found out, I just thanked them for their effort but told them the safety rules had changed a lot since then, and it felt too risky for me to be comfortable with my baby sleeping in it. And so we used a pack n play, and my mom definitely thought I was being ridiculous, but she didn’t debate it, and I think she also understood my momness and she was fine.
@sjnsjnsjn yeah, they'll definitely think we're ridiculous, but I mean, safety first! I feel like I'm breaking poor MIL's heart though, she's so excited about this crib. She sent me an email going "every time I see the crib I think of how amazing it will be with my grandbaby in it". Hopefully that sentiment is more about the excitement about a grandchild and not the crib itself... because every time I see it I think about uh, SIDS. At least they didn't spend any money on it.
I was also thinking I might throw H under the bus (if he agrees) and make him deal since they're his parents.
DS born 2/18/2019 DD born 4/1/2023 Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
After 3 kids I've learned that it's much better for MIL to get her feelings hurt temporarily than to compromise what I feel is right for my kids. I'd be a wreck having them in anything I didn't feel right about. DH and I made an agreement that we deal with our own parents. Fortunately that's easy for me because mine are much more reasonable and less emotional than his.
@bellebaby221 That's a good idea. Thankfully both my parents and his are reasonable, so I think they'll understand eventually, although they'll probably be disappointed at first. I mean, lots of things have changed since H was a baby. I doubt they wouldn't ever dream of taking their grandchild on a car ride without a car seat, or when he's older without a seatbelt. Yes, a lot of people were perfectly fine doing all sorts of crazy things, but the people who weren't fine aren't here to warn us about it. There's a reason safety rules are constantly updated!
DS born 2/18/2019 DD born 4/1/2023 Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
Re: Ask a STM week of Nov. 19
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
My IL's surprised us with a crib/bassinet that they want us to use in their house when we're there. Problem is, it's a really old, hand made thing that looks rickety and unstable and is DEFINITELY not up to code. Seriously, it looks like it'll fall apart if you touch it. There's also a huge gap between the mattress and the bed frame, who knows how old the mattress is and it's not a standard size so I can't buy a new one. There is no way my baby is going anywhere near it. My IL's are so excited about it though! It was built by someone in the family for someone else in the family (who are probably in their 90's now, lol). Obviously they will notice if I bring a pack 'n play to their house. Which, by the way! H's aunt offered her pack 'n play to us too that is um... well loved. By a million kids and also probably a handful of cats.
I feel like I'm snubbing them for not accepting, and I probably made it worse by initially pretending to like it and thanking them (I panicked, don't judge). I know I can say it doesn't look up to code, but I can just hear them in my head going "Well, so-and-so slept in it, and they survived!". What would you do in this situation? Anyone encountered anything similar?
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
I was also thinking I might throw H under the bus (if he agrees) and make him deal since they're his parents.
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
DH and I made an agreement that we deal with our own parents. Fortunately that's easy for me because mine are much more reasonable and less emotional than his.
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024