Too many toys and clothes from my parents-- I don't remember my grandparents buying me so much junk

[Anonymous]

My mother buys my kids so much stuff that half of it ends up being regifted or just lands at Goodwill. I wish she'd stop already. I don't even understand where this behavior comes from. Her own mother never spoiled me and my siblings this way. We received one wonderful gift for Christmas or our birthdays and that was it. We didn't love her any less for it. My parents, jeez, forget it. Some of this stuff isn't even played with or worn. I swear they could keep Amazon in business themselves with all of the crap they buy.

I wish they'd take all of this money and book a cruise for themselves. Is it a babyboomer thing? As I said, I can't recall my grandparents being this way. DH was lucky if his grandparents put a $10 bill in his birthday cards.

[Anonymous]

My mom does this, only she will hoard the things at her house for when they come over, then never put them in the clothes/bring out the toys, and then she will complain that they have outgrown them.

[Anonymous]

My parents do the same thing. My mom says it is because they couldn't afford to buy much for us kids when we were growing up. But they invested and saved money over the years and are now fincacially more secure and they like to buy stuff for the grandkids that they couldn't afford for us. It is totally over compensation, but it makes them feel good so what is the harm? Grandparents traditionally like to spoil their grandchildren anyways, don't they? Let the kids play with they stuff as long as it holds their interest and then sell it, save the money and use it to buy the grandparents a gift (like a cruise!) that they wouldn't think to buy for themselves.

[Anonymous]

ask them to take the money they'd put into gifts and buy your kids savings bonds. they'll need those more.

[Anonymous]

Just tell them no. I don't feel like I can tell the inlaws no but I have no trouble telling my parents no.

A second strategy would be to be vocal about what the kids need (such as ski gear or swimsuits) or tell them what brand clothes/shoes you like. That's helped me get things my dd needs without getting junk. When my mom buys something I said she needs, I rave about it. Hah I've also returned plenty and told her. She knows I don't like excess junk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mother buys my kids so much stuff that half of it ends up being regifted or just lands at Goodwill. I wish she'd stop already. I don't even understand where this behavior comes from. Her own mother never spoiled me and my siblings this way. We received one wonderful gift for Christmas or our birthdays and that was it. We didn't love her any less for it. My parents, jeez, forget it. Some of this stuff isn't even played with or worn. I swear they could keep Amazon in business themselves with all of the crap they buy.

I wish they'd take all of this money and book a cruise for themselves. Is it a babyboomer thing? As I said, I can't recall my grandparents being this way. DH was lucky if his grandparents put a $10 bill in his birthday cards.

Of course it's a baby boomer thing. They were bred on mass consumerism and conformity. Most of them don't understand their self worth behind what they own. They will mock you if you suggest they have a pleasant experience. That's for millennials, silly!

[Anonymous]

Prices on clothes and toys are comparatively lower than when we were kids.

[Anonymous]

Same here. I can't believe how many clothes our baby has...both sets of grandparents send boxes of clothes every few weeks. We've asked them to stop because we have more than enough stuff but they'll say, "It was on sale, so how could I say no?"

We want to have another kid at some point, so I'm holding onto as much of it as I can. But I already dream about having a huge yard sale and donating the remainder to friends or Goodwill!

[Anonymous]

Regift or give away. There is probably someone in your neighborhood/church/school who could use these items. Pay it forward!

[Anonymous]

Like another poster, I try to direct my mother to things my children actually need. So when she starts talking about how she's planning a trip to Carters, I'll say "Oh, I was going to go next weekend too because Jane needs new solid color leggings." Then the leggings appear rather than 15 new shirts.

[Anonymous]

Imagine how much money you'd have if they gave money instead of crap you don't need. Tell them to stop, that they are wasting their money. It's not even a good thing because in 5 years when you try to get rid of it, there will be an overwhelming mountain of junk that will be too exhausting to deal with. They don't care because once they give it, it's not their problem anymore. Shopping is fun and games but getting rid of it is hell.

[Anonymous]

I brought 2/3 of the stuff back to their house and said "DC loves all these toys, but we don't have room for them, so we'll keep them at your house for when DC visits!" Then they realized how challenging it can be to find space for all that plastic crap, and I think they got the idea.