New Baby on the way

[bradlupa]

o.k. so here is a delema that i have my infinte mother in law has recieved a wooden play pen and a craddle from one of her friends and she keeps getting all of the stuff when the wife and i have told her specifically that we did not want hand me down equipment as we cannot garuntee the quality of the product.

Now how do i tell her so that it is in her brain that we don't want the kind of stuff we would like to buy new.  i don't care about clothes as they just grow out of the anyway but i would really like new equipment such as a stroller and crib and toys.

Now am i just over protective or do i have a valid point.

 

[exgunnertdo]

In the interest of family harmony for this and all future issues - she is you mother IN LAW - let your wife deal with it!

In general, nothing wrong with used stuff, if it still meets current safety standards.  IE a 2-year old crib, no issues likely, as long as it still has all the pieces and assembly instructions and so on.  A 20 year old crib, I wouldn't have used it.  I had issues with the high chair my in laws had at their house for their grand kids (my kids and my niece and nephew), it was 30+ years old.  But we bought a new harness for it, and didn't leave the kids in it unless we were right beside them at the table.  It was easier than fighting it.

But, your child, your decision, ultimately.

Maybe suggest that she keep the stuff at her place so there is stuff for the baby to use when you visit?  Saves you hauling everything there?

Funny - A friend of the family had the exact opposite problem.  She didn't want anything new.  She believed that it was a complete waste of money and a drain on the environment to buy anything new for a baby.  You only use it for a short period of time, and then what?  She was going crazy cause people kept buying her new stuff!

But, I say again - let your wife deal with it, otherwise you become the evil, ungrateful guy her daughter married.

Good luck!!!  And congrats on the new addition.

 

[bradlupa]

I have no problem with used articles of clothing but a wodden play pen, when did they make them out of wood.

I'm tring to let my wife deal with it but it dosen't seem to be working, beside i think that she(mother in law) already hates me as it is so...

But thanks for the advice

 

[Lil_T]

we had this issue with MIL too.  I had  my husband explain to her that it was a safety issue and that it was not recommended to use items that were that old.  And wooden playpens?  Before my time and I'm 31.  have your wife talk to her mom and explain that to her.  I fail to see how wanting to ensure your child's safety is a bad thing.  If you don't mind the added tension - tell her flat out that stuff won't be coming into your house and your baby will not be using it.  Your MIL will get over it.  Eventually.

 

[ENGINEERS WIFE]

Just say 'No thanks, got one already'

Print out the Canadian safety standards, if that doesn't work.

I had the same problem when my mother put an old car seat in her car trying to be helpful.  And her boyfriend freaked out when I didn't want to use it. I told him and her that I was uncomfortable with it and that I was the one ultimately responsible if something happened.  And how would she/he feel if in a second hand hand-me-down, gawd forbid, something bad happened?

Or take it and use it for a 'raised bed' and plant flowers in it in the backyard....and then when she asks "Oh, you mean that was for the baby?"  >

 

[bradlupa]

That is great I will have to do that. That is the flower pot idea.