Giving away your baby things

[MammaMia]

DH & I have decided that our little family is now complete... DS & DD.

This week I have washed and sorted all of the things that belonged to my DS when he was a baby.

This morning I have packed into an enormous box all of these items and my DH has just driven off to take them to friends who are expecting their 3rd child ... a little boy after a big gap between their 1st 2 girls. We thought it would be nice to lend a helping hand by passing on DS's items.... but only the good stuff. I hate receiving other people's things that should really be thrown in the bin.

What has surprised me is how emotional I felt, sorting and packing away those little blue singlets, going out clothes, hats etc etc.

They've sat in a suitcase for ages and I haven't thought about them or had it in my mind that I was keeping them for a purpose.

Has anyone else felt this way?

Signed
Motherhood: it's the darnedest thing!

[the_queen]

I haven't made that "no more for me" decision yet, but when I found out this one was a boy, I had to go through all the clothes and take out the dresses - that made me cry. :crying:

[jessgray]

i havent yet made the no more descion but 3 is the max for us :)
i get emotional when i pack away stuff that doesnt fit DS anymore into the boxes i have lol :laughing:

[sopolicha]

It is very emotional packing away all their 'little' things. It is worse when you later unpack them and remember how they were when they wore a certain item. You remember them being so grown up, but looking back you realise how little they were at the time and precious they really are.

I love a good cupboard clean out and a sale on ebay, but I always end too teary to carry on. I don't consider myself especially sentimental but I have kept certain items of my kids clothing that I just can't bear to part with...............hopeless.

A word to the wise MM. After my DD and DS I donated or sold all of my baby items and clothes, thinking that my family was complete. Two and half years later I had to go and buy it all again for the "bonus" baby.

[mum of 2]

We too have completed our little family aswell and I get emotional everytime my youngest outgrows something as it means its time for the item to go...

I've been giving my friend who is now due with her second, all the old clothes that my son has outgrown as she has a boy whos 1 and now Ive given her all the unisex clothes that my daughter outgrew...and not once has she said thank you...that really cheeses me off as it feels like she doesnt appreciate it....it makes me not want to give them too her, but i know she needs them as they are struggling with money...

[sopolicha]

I've been giving my friend who is now due with her second, all the old clothes that my son has outgrown as she has a boy whos 1 and now Ive given her all the unisex clothes that my daughter outgrew...and not once has she said thank you...that really cheeses me off as it feels like she doesnt appreciate it....it makes me not want to give them too her, but i know she needs them as they are struggling with money...


I did the exact same thing as well, and as soon as this person got the stuff off me she wiped me like a dirty bum. I thought I was doing a nice thing. Next time it goes straight to Lifeline or ebay.

[misskittyfantastico]

Our family is (hopefully) not finished but a few days ago I did a clean out of DD's draws/wardrobe and folding all her tiny little things that don't fit her anymore made me feel incredibly emotional.

[imogensmummy2005]

I get upset just putting all of DDs beautiful clothes into storage boxes, let alone giving them away! We already have 5 huge boxes of clothes put away and she is only 8 months, i have alot more to clear out of her drawers but i'm just putting it off. I hate it that she has so many cute clothes that were never worn or only worn twice.

So both DP and i have our fingers crossed for another girl so we can use all her clothes again.

Erin

[lukaelmo]

I keep the dude's first teeny weeny singlet, wondersuit and beanie in a cute little blue baby box. I love getting them out from time to time, and shedding a happy little tear over them.

I haven't given away a lot of his stuff yet - I am still waiting for him to outgrow them :laughing: .

Sorry, am teasing, he is not really that small :eek: .

All his little wondersuits and singlets went to lifeline. It was fun, I felt good that another bubba would be warm and cosy like my little man :D .

[Jinx]

I recently sold a lot of my baby clothes - it didn't worry me at first, but when the time came to pack them into a box and hand them over, I got quite emotional. :crying: I know it's only clothes, and if we did make the decision to have more children (highly doubt it) I can just buy more, but it made me stop and think - this is really it......no more babies for me...........

[MummyCharmzy]

When I found out I was expecting another little girl I cleared out all of my sons old baby clothes (except of course the special ones I have put away forever) and it was very emotional for me! i didnt realise how many memories clothes have attached to them! I have kept about 20 outfits of his and will forever keep those ones as they are the most significant to me.

Our family may not be finished but I decided we really needed the space as there was 3 large 'stripey bags' of baby boys clothes and I also thought that when we do have another bub (if we do) then I would quite like to buy new things for it. In saying this, I will be keeping all this bubs clothes as she outgrows them as we are moving house soon and going from 11sq to 22... so I'm sure we can find space to keep them lmao

[MammaMia]

It was strange, carefully folding little clothes and remembering my little boy wearing them. It all seems so long ago.

I normally pass on all our clothes to the Salvos. Most of our friends are able to afford to clothe their children without assistance so I figure they can be put to better use elsewhere.

I got myself in trouble last year with someone who couldn't believe I wouldn't pass over my DS's hand-me-downs. She thought it would be great for her: she wouldn't have to pay to clothe her children. But she brags about her great income and I didn't think they needed it, so I refused. I was a bit stunned that anyone would put it on me to give them clothes in the first place. And I could just hear her bragging to people if they commented on the outfits that she wasn't stupid enough to pay for the labels in the first place. So, despite a few attempts and the bringing in of her mother to argue too, we happily sent them to the Salvos. And yes, Lukaelmo, it does feel good.