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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We have a little side table/cabinet that she gave us for DD that I think is pretty ugly - you're saying I should just suck it up and keep it right?

Yep. My MIL and mom constantly give me hideous things. Especially clothes for my kids. At first I wanted to say something and then I realized I could use the clothes as filler play clothes. Problem solved! As for the side table...put in the play room/area...[/quote]

You saw the part where I said I have a small house right?  There is no play room/area.  Hahahahahaha.  There is barely enough floor room to put my baby down!  And we rent storage space and that's full too.   We are planning on moving to a new house within the next 2 years but until then... [/quote]

I would tell her that the baby needs more space to move around because her bedroom is so cluttered it's not safe, and you are going to pass on the side table, but first wanted to check if she wants it back. Do not allow someone else's hoarding to become your hoard to manage. Don't let her give you more shit when you move to a bigger house. Then you'll just have even more shit you don't like. I had to tell my MIL to stop. "Jane, I need to talk with you about something and I want to apologize in advance if this hurts your feelings. I genuinely appreciate how much you give David and me. For the house, for Larla... I know you do it because you love and want to help us. The thing is, having so much stuff is starting to hurt us which I know is the exact opposite of what you want. We are trying to have free space in our house, more than we do, and to keep floor space to a maximum. (You may be tempted to use the word clutter at this point but don't - clutter implies garbage and you don't want to imply she gives you trash.) We absolutely know you love us - you don't have to give us tangible things to show your love. If we could just stick to exchanging gifts on the major holidays that would be great."

She will be hurt and may even cry. But after saying this stick to it. When she tries to give you more stuff after that talk give it back saying "Oh thank you so much Jane! But we can't accept this - we're really trying to limit the new things that come into the house these days, remember? I love you for wanting us to have this." It will be awkward and embarrassing but after a few times she'll stop, to save herself the embarrassment of having her things rejected. Keep reiterating that you feel her love because that's where this comes from. She just shows her love by giving things, and it's hard to change that. [/quote]

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