The Generosity of Parents
Why is it that, right after saying “congratulations” to friends or family when you learn are expecting, the next thoughts on our minds are usually, “Great! Now I can give them all our old baby stuff!”
It happened to us when we learned that our neighbors were expecting a baby. After congratulating them and wishing them well, I immediately started racking my brain of all the things we might be able to give them. They had brought us some formula samples when they found out we were expecting, and I was anxious to return the favor. Since I was able to breast feed successfully, I had the formula samples to give back to them, as well as a collection of miscellaneous baby stuff: more blankets than we could ever use; tons of onesies and other clothes, much of which had never been worn; and bottles, bibs, and other random feeding things.
In addition, I wanted to give them the baby swing our little boy is too big for that was taking up way too much precious real estate in our small living room, and which our toddler refused to stop messing with, no matter how many times we asked her to stop. Both of our kids had used it as babies, and enjoyed peaceful hours gently swinging back and forth in it while my husband and I were able to nap or actually get something done around the house.
The swing had been a gift from friends of ours who had had a baby a few years prior, and we were grateful to receive it – as well as a wipes warmer, tons of cloth diapers, some random toys, and other baby gear that we wouldn’t have to spend our own money on. Looking back, I realize that they might have been just as grateful to us for taking all of the items from them, freeing up space in their living room for some more sophisticated items, like furniture,
We were happy to continue the chain and pass on our old baby stuff to a new set of parents. I just hope that they will pay it forward and donate or pass on all their baby stuff once they are finished with it.
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Melissa H says...
I guess that I can say as a parent that one of the reasons that I immediately start looking at the baby stuff I have and wondering if those around me who are expecting might be able to use, is remembering how overwhelmed I was by the price of everything. The swing, the crib, the bouncer, the walker all high dollar items that were used for a short time really. Out grown and then forgotten about in the storage area. Everything costs an arm and a leg… and while some of it can be said to be a luxury a lot of those items make life easier. And easier when you have an infant is what life is all about. I am expecting again and will have my tubes tied when this one is born… so we will be the parents offering what seems like hand-me-downs, that will eventually save a life. I know our hand me down swing saved someones life and it might just have been my own.
Griselda says...
My husband and I have discovered this to be a new thing for us. We didn’t realize how people shared all their baby stuff with expectant parents. It has been such a blessing not to worry about needing to buy this or that. It is great to know if you are giving something for the couple to keep or if you want it back or passed on to someone else. It is also great to know if you will be offended if the expectant parents don’t use what you gave them. Relieving them of that stress is something I would recommend.