I dont like my MIL at all but I must say you have to pick your battles. Refusing baby clothes seems obnoxios even if you do not like or need them.

I would have just accepted and then donated them or something. This would not have been an issue worth making anything into.

I thought everyone with kids knows that piling on more clothes, new and used, is just silly. They don't fit even for one month, friends give huge bins of little outfits, and meanwhile the new parents are dropping $100s on new baby supplies, diapers, bath stuff, health stuff, playpens, food, grooming, transport items for the baby.
We turned down clothes in the end too, but mainly used stuff.
I probably would have accepted the MiLs new clothes but people need to realize that having 200 little $5 carter outfits is not actually helpful. Cute, but not helpful.

First World Problems.

Ahh, this could have been my MIL, if only she lived in this area. I just take the boatloads of clothes she sends, pick out what I like, return the rest, and/or give some of the extras to my sisters for their kids. I am sorry, but it is INSANE how many clothes she sends; one 5yo child does not need THAT many clothes. It is a control thing with her; she wants to be the one dressing my child. I just write a thank-you note and leave it at that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not just say "thanks! Now we are set and don't need any clothes for the next two years!"

Because sometimes mothers (and even fathers!) like the joy of picking out clothing for their children.

So? Mom and dad can still buy stuff. I'm sure mil hasn't taken an inventory of the closet. Refusing a gift is pretty rude.

It gets to a point where it's not just a gift, it's taking over.

Oh please. It's some clothes! It takes two to engage in a power struggle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not just say "thanks! Now we are set and don't need any clothes for the next two years!"

Because sometimes mothers (and even fathers!) like the joy of picking out clothing for their children.

So? Mom and dad can still buy stuff. I'm sure mil hasn't taken an inventory of the closet. Refusing a gift is pretty rude.

It gets to a point where it's not just a gift, it's taking over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not just say "thanks! Now we are set and don't need any clothes for the next two years!"

Because sometimes mothers (and even fathers!) like the joy of picking out clothing for their children.

So? Mom and dad can still buy stuff. I'm sure mil hasn't taken an inventory of the closet. Refusing a gift is pretty rude.

Perhaps the overly generous MIL struggled to have nice things for her children and want to help the next generation avoid that same pain as a parent. What you see as over-reaching may simply be an act of kindness based upon life experiences you haven't had. The flip side--she could give you nothing and then you would be on here bitching that she didn't give a damn about your baby...

DILs should be gracious, but age does not excuse MILs from being gracious. If anything, MILs should be setting an example.

Anonymous wrote:Why not just say "thanks! Now we are set and don't need any clothes for the next two years!"

Because sometimes mothers (and even fathers!) like the joy of picking out clothing for their children.

Why not just say "thanks! Now we are set and don't need any clothes for the next two years!"

Pffffttt......wonder why?

...says one nasty DIL...

Whatever. Its the MOTHERS time now. Suck it up and deal with it, MIL.

Just as I don't understand nasty MILs during weddings. I mean really, you don't think DILs see RIGHt through it and know that your going to be nothing but a PITA in coming decades.

DILs are not as stupid as nasty MILs!

Overheard in Starbucks, presumably spoken by a MIL...

"I went out and bought ALL these new clothes for the baby, and can you believe it, she told me they had no more room in the closet?! I mean, it's just clothes, and they were such nice clothes and she didn't even want them!"

Guess the MILs feel the same way about us as we do about them.