As a bit of a fashionista and picky kid clothing picker-outer, I learned early that the key to dressing my kids cute on a budget was to accept every hand-me-down offered, scour the consignment sales, and splurge on a few expensive items that completed these little people’s wardrobes.
I’ve been the lucky recipient of hand-me-downs for my kids. I always said yes when people offered to pass their kids' clothes to me. Often, I found myself overwhelmed that these people would give me such wonderful items for free. Didn’t they know they could sell these name-brand boots?
Didn’t they realize that they were just giving me treasures?
When I asked these generous moms if they were sure they didn’t want me to reimburse them in some way, they would always say something like, “You’re doing ME a favor by taking them!” I was happy to help them clear out space, and happily took my “goods” and went on my merry way.
I now love passing along my kids' adorable duds. While watching their clothes leave my life is a little bittersweet, I truly get joy from it. But I do want one thing in return.
If I could write an open letter to those mamas who gratefully take my hand-me-downs, this is what it would say:
Dear Friend,
I hope you like these clothes.
OK… I lie.
I hope you love them.
I hope you cherish them
I hope that you go through this bag of hand-me-downs and are overwhelmed with each adorable piece. I hope that you are filled with excitement at the mere thought of your sweet child wearing these new outfits. I hope they save you money and bring you joy.
I act like you are doing me a favor by “taking them off my hands” and helping me clear out space in our drawers, but in truth… they are a precious gift. Those dresses and pants and swimsuits and sweaters are a little piece of my children that I had to bring myself to part with.
You see, the fact that I have gotten myself to the point of bagging them up and handing them off means that my babies no longer fit in them. Saying goodbye to this clothing means that I am admitting that I will never again have a child this small.
It means my babies are growing up.
And it’s hard.
I want you to love them like I loved them
I want you to cherish your kids while they wear them and realize that, sooner than you know, they too will grow up and grow out of this size.
I want you to ooh and aah over the ruffles and tiny shoes and send me a picture of your sweet baby wearing these adorable clothes that no longer fit mine.
I hope that’s not too much to ask.
It might seem extra.
It might seem like a bit of a diva request.
But it makes this mama's heart ache a little less just by seeing your baby in my baby’s clothes.
Sincerely,
A sentimental mama
