Hand me Downs

Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:06 pm

My mother in law wants to give me a few things she still has from when my husband was a baby. Mind you my husband is now 31 years old. She wants to give us a jumper seat, a high chair and a couple other things. What kind of items would be safe for me to use and what items should I pass on? Not sure how safe these things will be as the items are a little over 30 years old. And if they are not safe and I should get new, how can I politely tell my mother in law no thanks? I was thinking of accepting them and when I get them look up the model numbers and get information that way and make my decision based on what info I find.

Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:22 pm

Lurker* Getting them and looking them up would be a good idea to not hurt the feelings.It is always hard when in-laws give you things. Some do not care if you say no and others do. IMO though the jumper is likely not safe after so long. But the high chair likely is ok.

Steph. Mother of Eva-15,Jordan-10, Christopher-9, Abigail-6,and a angel son Joshua. Host of Pregnancy and Infant Lose board. Mummieeva@yahoo.com

Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:44 pm

That's what I was thinking. Plus my husband of course is a boy and we are having a girl and I dream of having a bunch of pink girlie things. I got a pack and play from a friend but it is blue, I am still keeping the cute pink pack and play on my registry list. She gave us a light from when my husband was a baby, its got pooh bear on it and there is a light inside pooh bear to make him glow, but there are black marks on him that indicate the light is too hot, so i really don't want to use it.

Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:21 pm

Things I definitely wouldn't use would be a car seat or crib. Not sure what kind of highchair it is, but it may be okay. And it depends on what kind of jumper it is. We have one that is borrowed from a friend and its probably about 30 years old and it works better than the new ones that hang in the door frame.

Brentley Peyton

Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:27 am

Honestly if it was something other than clothes I probably would just tell her no thank you and just tell her you want stuff that meets the current safety standards so you can help ensure her grandbaby stays safe. I know hand me downs have a lot of emotions associated with them but the rules for EVERYTHING have changed so much since 1981. Lead paint, finger pinches, ect. Sure a pinched finger will not forever damage your child but lead paint could and I have no idea how you would find out if something from 1981 was safe or not.

Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:41 pm

My mom gave me clothes for my daughter that were mine but luckily my MIL didn't try to give us any old stuff lol. I would take what you think you could use or suggest waiting till after the shower to fill in gaps - or the line I always use when I dont want something is "let's keep it at your house so DD can play with it when we visit" hahahaha

Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:19 pm

MIL tell me oh you can take this and that off your registry and such, but I am not. I am keeping everything I have on there. There is stuff that I want my daughter to have, if someone gets them for her fine, if not I will buy it myself. I told my husband I will accept what she has to give but I will be doing research on each item to see if it is safe to use. And he agrees. Which is good. Lol.