Grandparents overbuying

I asked my mum to stop buying my boy something everytime we were in a shop with her because it was leading to tantrums when he was out with just me and she cried 🫠

Yes my mom is like this. And it’s also just stuff that’s not a good fit. And she also gets upset when she doesn’t see him use it. It’s just so annoying

In my experience they just act like you're trying to stifle their relationship with their grands if you ask them to stop. You might suggest they purchase experiences (zoo, live shows for kids, etc) rather than items, or look into donating items that you don't want or need to bless people that may need them.

Did you show them the amount of stuff that the child has? We don’t have a lot of room so she doesn’t get a lot of toys from grandparents. But she has started wearing 12M clothes since she was 6M so now we’re kinda running out .


They stopped then as they saw baby had a lot and just simply ask me oh what size is she ? It’s when they or relatives gift 24M , even 7T and ask why haven’t you put it on her ? 😂

My dad 🤦‍♀️ I’ve just had to be honest that’s it’s too much and the kids aren’t able to enjoy things properly.

It was constant, my mum bought clothes which is fine and needed but my dad would arrive with suitcases of stuff. We are emigrating soon and he wasn’t stopping with the gifts so I just told him straight “we cannot keep anymore and I’ve already started selling and donating so please save your money”.

My parents and in laws are amazing and always have the best intentions BUT it was too much some times.
I talked to them about not wanting the kids to associate them with presents. That I wanted them to be excited to see grandma/grandpa, and not for what they would bring.
They don’t buy so much stuff now. And since we live in different countries and every time we see them we spend some time together, I also asked them to wait until day 2 or 3 to give the presents.
They listened and understood, but again, my parents and in laws are super great. I know not every grandma/grandpa would understand.

I may be projecting into the future as my child is only 4mo, but I feel my parents and in law may both do this. It will be a simple conversation to say stop. I don’t want the stuff, we don’t have space for stuff beyond birthday and Christmas. I also don’t want my child(ren) to grow up expecting something every time they see a grandparent. I have also made it clear to friends that any “loud” and “jokey” gifts (such as a drum set) will be going straight to a charity shop. The same rule might apply to excess gifting.