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BR: kind of stupid question
As I mentioned in another post, MIL has been on a baby stuff shopping spree lately, and she's gotten us a ton of clothes - among them are 5-6 crocheted baby sweaters, including one that i think is hysterically ugly - it's like a Cosby sweater for infants lol! Anyway, the others are all just plain white, which is totally fine.
But here's the thing: aside from the Cosby sweater, they all look really girly to me and it kind of bugs me. I know, I know, the babies won't care and free clothes are free clothes, but...I don't know, maybe it's just me. Two of them are similar to these:
Am I being silly? They're actually quite pretty and I'd love them if we were having girls...I never thought I'd be the gung-ho gender stereotyping kind of parent (actually, I tend to veer toward gender neutral in clothing - having fire trucks on everything annoys me), but would you find the idea of little boys wearing these odd? If you saw them on a baby, would you think the baby was a boy or a girl? I know that back in the day they used to dress all babies in pretty much the same outfits of white with ribbons and lace and whatnot, but it seems a little odd today. Or am I just being ridiculous?
I know I can just do the hide-them-in-the-back-of-the-closet-until-they-don't-fit trick so I'm not worried about that, and I'm definitely not complaining since they're a gift...I guess I just find them a kind of odd choice for little boys. Is it just me? Or do you agree?
Re: BR: kind of stupid question
this!
Agreed.
Yep, your MIL comes from a generation that didn't have quite the range we have now and boys wore crochet girly clothes too. She's showing her age here lol.
Only put them on the boys once or twice when she visits you at home and consider it done. Thankfully, they'll grow out of them quickly.
Actually, on second thoughts...she may just feel encouraged to buy more of the same thing in future. Ask hubby if he can have a word to her and tell her he feels they're kinda girly.
Alyson & Phil | Planning Bio | Married Bio!
Dates & Quinces Blog
Yeah, girly. But I do think it's a generational thing. Have you heard of "dressing gowns" for boys? That's what these remind me of.
My friend's MIL gave her a short-sleeve red knitted romper that looks very girly, but she said all the men in the family have worn it as babies and asked for photos to be taken in it. My friend was wondering how to dress her boy in it... Tights?
Also, I know they make Baby Legs for boys but everyone in my mom's group who has a son says there is NO WAY they would put their son in them. Renee? What do you think?
So back to your sweaters... Unless they have sentimental meaning to your MIL, I would just not use them and if she asks, be like... Oh, darn! They're too small and I never got a chance to use them!
However, if she is right there and insists that you put them in these sweaters, then why not. But don't take any pictures. Or do and you'll have great blackmail material for when the boys become crazy teenagers!
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
The first one could possibly be gender neutral...the second one....not so much! Very feminine to me with the Peter Pan Collar and Scallop Stitch Details.
I like your idea of hiding them in the back of the closet until they "oops!" don't fit.
Libby is only 2 weeks old today and is already out of all of the NB sized items we have and a few smaller 0-3 things (since she's got a CD fluff butt). Somethings she literally wore once or not at all...that's how fast they grow!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
I agree, a little girly. I would just set these aside in a special Grandma basket... babies can wear those special items when the ILs are over.
My MIL started buying a few things for baby and it's funny that her idea of "gender neutral" involves sports and the color blue.
Nah, no sentimental meaning - they're not family heirlooms or anything, just some clothes that she bought new at a craft fair...which is why I'm hoping to get away with the stashing them in the back of the closet trick lol.
Also:
I had to laugh at this! When MIL asked me a while back what style I liked, I said "gender neutral"...but to her that still means all blue with firetrucks on it lol. (Well, except for these anyway!)
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
ha ha ha, your poor pirate boys will be dressed so awlful if it was up to your MIL. Either have your DH tell his mom something or just put them in the grandma basket as PP said. I say do take pics of them in the funny clothes so if she asks you can have 'proof' that they wore them, and you and DH might get a good laugh out of seeing your boys like that. Maybe you can make some kind of artsy, old fashioned looking pictures even?
A few experienced moms told me to accept everything that is given/offered to you, even if you know you don't want it.
You should move to Hawaii. Then you'd have the excuse, 'It's much too hot here for the boys to be wearing anything like that.'
With that being said, I think those things are adorable but would probably use them for a girl instead of a boy.
ETA: You MUST show us what this Cosby sweater looks like!! PIP stat!
Yep, girly. Easily hid in back of closet or accidentially buried beneath that zillion blankets you're soon to receive
Cerclage placed @ 21w6d due to CI (IC)