It's true. Op would not have mentioned those things if she didn't care. She's also a people bpleaser given she doesn't want DH to shut it down because it might upset MIL. She likely over values the busy body parents who make snide remarks about what her kids wear. She needs to toughen up |
| Why can't you just tell her the girls have more than enough clothes and can't possibly wear them all limit her to one or two outfits a season or something. If she can't do that let DH tell her more firmly. You can also suggest more useable gifts |
OP here. I do not want DH to hurt his mother’s feelings. Was that not clear? I want to handle it more gently. No one is wallowing. |
| Just accept them and donate what you don’t like. It’s not rocket science. |
Would you want all of your kids clothes to be red? Or everything Star Wars or Paw Patrol? |
I don’t see grandma as a busy body! Is that what you meant? And I wouldn’t want my kids to wear just one color of clothing regardless of the color. I truly think OP doesn’t want to hurt her MILs feelings. Living far from her grandkids, the grandma is just trying to stay important to them. |
Giving material things is not a love language. Do you understand children are exploited to make those things. It's disgusting to think you are sharing love as you take advantage of children in another part of the world. Gross, just gross!! |
No you were very clear that you don’t want to hurt her feelings…which is problematic. First, you don’t trust your husband to be a caring person with his own mother. And second, that’s pretty controlling to think you’re responsible for managing someone else’s feelings. Your MIL will feel whatever she is going to feel. The idea that you have to to tiptoe around her is ridiculous. Trust your spouse to be clear and kind. |
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| My mom has two grandsons who live close and one granddaughter overseas and I'll give you one guess which grandchild she likes to shop for. She sent boxes of clothes (always cheap dresses) over until the mom said "it's the funniest thing but X has become very picky about her clothes! She likes to wear things like this (with examples)." That cut down on the bargain hunting. |
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| Into the give a way box they would go in this house. |
Oh, I disagree. Color and characters, fine, but fit and function are everything. |
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I was in your exact position with my MIL and own mother. I finally had to tell them that my DD had too many clothes and to please stop. It helped that DD wore a uniform to prek so her clothing needs were reduced.
I have given so many gifted clothing away with the tags still on them. There’s only so much pink a girl can wear. |
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How I, the mother, feels about what my kids wear matters. I personally hate novelty shirts with sayings on them. My mother seems to love them. I finally told her to please stop and feelings were hurt. I also hate cartoon shirts.
I wouldn’t let my mother or MIL take my kids to get haircuts or ears pierced either. Or wear political shirts. And my husband is a firm believer in only parents should buy their kids shoes and coats. Our kids - our choice. |