Anonymous wrote:I always kept an emergency bag in the trunk of my car With a couple diapers, wipes, one piece PJ outfit and blanket. It was all stuff I didn't love in a diaper bag gifted to me by coworkers who meant well but I already had one and knew what I liked.

I love this idea. I would add some emergency food like granola bars, backup battery for the iPhone, shelf stable milk and water. Remember when all those drivers in Va. got stuck on the interstate for hours? An emergency bag is a must.

Anonymous wrote:I love backpack diaper bags...so much easier to get everything in the house/car without the back flopping around off your shoulder. Can you leave it at daycare or use it when a sitter comes--that can be the outing bag or whatever? or keep in the car with spares/emergency kit etc? Lots of uses for a spare bag, especially one that allows your hands to be free.

I loved mine too and comically DD is now using it in college (as a regular mini backpack). For OP I think a back in the car was a good idea or tell her you think it would be great for a hike (even if you never have plans to hike)

Anonymous wrote:Mother is a terrible gift giver: buys cheap stuff with no thought. She gave me a backpack-style diaper bag (which I did not ask for and do not need) and I really dislike it. Unfortunately, she is also a person that keeps tabs on things she gives me and I know she’ll be curious if I don’t wear/use the diaper bag when I see her. What can I do?

You have contempt for your mother’s gift giving. That is a you problem. Just tell her you use it at work or keep it in your car — whatever. This isn’t about your mother keeping tabs; it’s about you wanting better gifts, and looking every gift horse in the mouth.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks mom, that’s a thoughtful gift. But this bag doesn’t suit me and I honestly don’t like the style/functionality. Can we exchange it/get it a refund? Otherwise, I’ll donate it.

np how would you feel if someone said this to you? do you thk op's mom knows she is a bad gift giver or does she think she does it deliberately? perhaps the mom thinks it would be helpful. i would never be as blunt to my mom!

Just keep it as your extra bag in the car. Then you’re not lying when she asks about it.

1) Keep it in the car as an extra.

2) Claim that you tried it and it had X problem (too small, zipper sticks, whatever)

3) Claim you lost it, and you can't imagine how, but it's just gone!

You should keep a diaper bag in the car with spare clothes etc. my kids are past diapers but we still keep a bag in the car.

I’m 47. My mom still buys me clothing and accessories in the colors l liked as a teenager. I don’t wear lilac any more! Usually l just said thanks and donated without even taking the tags off, but l’ve started to push back a bit more, last lilac sweater l asked her to return it and she did. She wanted me to pick something else from the store but it was like the Walmart of Canada where she got it from (Joe Fresh brand for any other people with Canadian family reading). I think she is finally going to stop it - here’s hoping.

How often does she do this? If it’s once in a while day thank you and don’t use it.

If she’s like my parents who were buying things frequently and it was getting really wasteful and too expensive for them, be direct. I would ask for the receipt, remind them to stop with surprise gifts for no reason and tell them I am returning so they can get their money back.

Anonymous wrote:I love backpack diaper bags...so much easier to get everything in the house/car without the back flopping around off your shoulder. Can you leave it at daycare or use it when a sitter comes--that can be the outing bag or whatever? or keep in the car with spares/emergency kit etc? Lots of uses for a spare bag, especially one that allows your hands to be free.

+1 Who doesn't need more than one diaper bag in rotation, packed and ready to go except for perishables.
Some people will complain about anything!

I love backpack diaper bags...so much easier to get everything in the house/car without the back flopping around off your shoulder. Can you leave it at daycare or use it when a sitter comes--that can be the outing bag or whatever? or keep in the car with spares/emergency kit etc? Lots of uses for a spare bag, especially one that allows your hands to be free.

This is an easy one. "I realized I prefer a shoulder bag. The back pack is too difficult to get to when I need something quick." At least, this was my assessment of backpack diaper bags.

This is a gift that she should only expect you to use if it works for you. If it were just a matter of taste (the gift is ugly), that would be more difficult.

I always kept an emergency bag in the trunk of my car With a couple diapers, wipes, one piece PJ outfit and blanket. It was all stuff I didn't love in a diaper bag gifted to me by coworkers who meant well but I already had one and knew what I liked.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she can't return it, I would fill it with diaper change items, give it back, and say it can be the grandma diaper kit.

Great idea and no hurt feelings. Do the same we with everything she gives you that you don't like.

This is a great idea for when grandparent give really noisy gifts too. You thank them and say it’s a fantastic gift to enjoy every time we go to grandma’s. My mom complained endlessly about the noise of her own gifts until she finally ended up removing all batteries. She eventually stopped giving noisy gifts.