amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Cary · 02-20-2004, 02:27 AM

We really don't know if we want another baby. If so, ideally it wouldn't be for a few years. We live in a small mobile home and I try really hard to keep the "stuff" down so we can live, ya know? We are able to store some stuff at my in-laws, mostly big stuff that won't rot in their garage. However, I feel like I have a lot of baby clothes in boxes around here. Money is tight, but we do have generous family who like to buy baby clothes. My 6 month old ds doesn't really "need" any of the hand me downs from his big brother that we saved. So, I am trying to decide if I should keep this stuff or get rid of it. We also have all of the big stuff like the swing, bouncy chair, etc. I am actually shocked to realize that some people don't keep hand me downs at all. They just sell their stuff and by more used stuff when they need it. What do you think? Should I keep the stuff or get rid of it and just plan on buying more used stuff when the time comes? Thanks for any opinions.
Cary

mamabear · 02-20-2004, 08:03 AM

We're also in the "might have another" category. I would add "but probably not."

I have kept favorite clothes from each size, maybe 3-5 outfits for each child from each size (some overlap, both kids wore it and I love it).

The big stuff I've consigned already. Never had a crib. Jacob's cradle is in use by a friend and I expect to get it back and store it broken down in a few months. It doesn't take up a lot of room.

I'm very minimalist. I would enjoy procuring and/or sewing clothes for the next babe so I don't see the point of holding onto outgrown clothes that I don't absolutely cherish. Anyway, they all seem to develop stains in storage!

Um...so that's what we've done.

Let it go, I say! Unless the life energy to store it is truly minimal...less than procuring it again *if* you have another child. For us, we'll likely move before we have another, to land where we will have to pay in some way to store *whatever* we bring. I'm hoping to bring close to nothing...so I really have incentive to clear, clear, clear!

Shoshoni · 02-20-2004, 08:45 AM

I decided it would be easier to have my sister keep them at her house...we have no storage here, and she is hoping to be preggos hopefully soon. She knows not to get rid of ANY of it, seeing as we paid for all of it, and we may eventually have another. I gave her equipment, clothes, toys, all kinds of stuff.

MotherMoon · 02-20-2004, 10:08 AM

Despite the fact will most likely will NOT have another one, I am keeping a couple of my favorites from each size of my girls' old clothes. Now, for how long? Probably until their kids can wear them like my mom did. Then my kids never wore my old stuff. Who wants to wear polyester bell bottom plaid paints?

I am in the process of selling some here and ebay and giving to Goodwill the ones that either won't sell well or I would not buy from someone personally. (My aunt will by anything under $2, no matter what it is made of).

02-20-2004, 11:58 AM

I keep most everything except the newborn stuff. I do lend out my maternity clothes when friends need them, but they give them back.

Shifra · 02-20-2004, 03:09 PM

Phatui5- Ok I just had to say I love your siggy line!

thea · 02-21-2004, 02:47 PM

We're keeping most of it, but we most likely will have another. Dh originally wanted just 1, and I wanted at least 2, so we mostly talk about *if* we have another. Then one day he said, "Well, if we're going to have another kid, we might as well have more. He seems to like the idea now. Anyhow, we put most of the outgrown stuff in the attic, except the newborn clothing, which we sent to my brother and SIL when my nephew was born. It's all labeled, and they'll give it back when we need it again.

Mama2miracles · 02-21-2004, 10:01 PM

Well - I got rid of everything and then got pregnant with twins, so this time we'll keep most things until dh has a vasectomy. (sometime when the girls home and doing better)

KD · 02-22-2004, 03:23 AM

I'm not into keeping much but God seems to space our babes pretty far so it really isn't worth it. I keep all the nicer sleepers and some clothing but as for 'stuff' you'd be amazed out how quickly those go out of date imo.
beside i buy less with each kid anyway... you just know what you need and it isn't much imo

Ariadne Umbrell · 02-22-2004, 01:20 PM

Post just deleted by two year old.

We have kept the minimum for a happy baby- warm clothes, most blankets, some toys, a wooden high chair, and the maternity clothes I liked. Everything else went.It's two plastic boxes. We expect to be TTC in the next year. The only things that I intend to save past children in the house are the handmade by me presentation outfits. Those are the only heirloom worthy items.

I like running into one of their old blankets being used by one of their friends. I lke seeing my neighbor strut around with his son in my old sling. I can always make another sling, but I can't EVER see a hip hop Dad in full strut with a blue fuzz bomb poking out of the top of the sling . And I like it that he'll be able to hand it on.

It kind of creeps me out that my MIL saved sheets from DH as a four year old. She expects me to use them, too.

elsie · 02-22-2004, 01:36 PM

I've kept a "favorites" box of A's stuff from his first year. And I cannot seem to get rid of my slings, so I'm keeping them! I keep a box of infant safe toys for when baby company comes over.

Other than that, I figure we would not need much. If I get to have another one, I know we would be able to clothe them between gifts and good will and trading stuff. I was never one to have much equipment, and anything else I think we already have just cos I was never one to buy "baby" stuff like special silverware or cups or things like that. I just use what we have!