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Mom’s ‘Generosity’ Comes With A Monthly Price Tag, New Mom’s Pushed To Pay Up
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Mom’s ‘Generosity’ Comes With A Monthly Price Tag, New Mom’s Pushed To Pay Up

Mom’s ‘Generosity’ Comes With A Monthly Price Tag, New Mom’s Pushed To Pay Up“She Was So Excited”: Grandma Glad To Help Out With Baby’s Expenses, Asks For The Money BackWoman Left Blindsided As Mom’s Generosity Turns Into $143 Monthly Payments For Baby “Gifts”Grandma Changes Her Mind About Generosity After A Shopping Session, Asks Daughter To Pay Her BackGrandma Insists On Paying For Baby Gear, Drops $143 Monthly Charge After Baby Is BornGrandma Buys A Stroller As A Gift, Asks Daughter To Pay $140 A Month For It LaterWoman Allows Mom To Buy Her A Pricey Stroller As A Gift, Regrets It When She Asks For Money Back“I Feel Really Hurt”: Mom Insists On Buying A Stroller, Asks Daughter For Her Money Back AfterPeople Urge New Mom To Refuse To Repay “Narcissistic” Mom For Her Baby Gifts“It Put A Damper On Things”: Woman Insists On Shopping For Grandkid, Asks Daughter To Pay It Back
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Few events in life are more exciting than waiting for a baby to arrive. And that goes for everyone who can’t wait to meet the bundle of joy, from parents, to grandparents, and family friends.

People tend to get so excited, they want to shower the little one and its parents with love, attention, and quite often – gifts. That was the case with this soon-to-be-mom and her mother—a soon-to-be-grandma—who insisted on buying some necessary things for the baby. However, the generosity didn’t last long, as the woman asked her pregnant daughter to reimburse her soon after. Scroll down to find the full story below.

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Expectant parents usually have quite a lot of shopping to do before the baby arrives

Image credits: RDNE Stock project/Pexels (not the actual photo)

This pregnant woman’s mother insisted on buying things for her grandchild, but changed her tune soon after

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Image credits: cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: Austin Guevara/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: djspaoxndn

Parents spend billions of dollars on kids’ and baby items every year

Those with a baby—in their arms or on the way—know just how many things new parents have to acquire. The essentials alone, such as baby clothes, diapers, cribs, or strollers, among other things, can add to quite an extensive list.

Luckily for some parents, friends and family with kids who’ve outgrown certain items are more than willing to pass them on. In addition to that, there’s always the option of buying secondhand, especially bearing in mind that kids tend to outgrow certain things, such as clothing, in what feels like a matter of minutes.

According to the online marketplace, Mercari, in 2021 alone, parents in the US spent a total of $143 billion on kids’ and baby items; a number which is expected to increase to $182 billion by the year 2030. However, according to Mercari’s Reuse Report: Family Edition, during the same year, roughly two-thirds of surveyed parents purchased secondhand kids’ and baby products, collectively spending somewhere around $7 billion.

“We all know that raising kids can be expensive. For families, embracing the circular economy is an excellent way to save money and unlock value. It’s a way to make homes feel less cluttered and more peaceful, at a time when having a refuge is more important than ever to our well-being. And it’s a way to do some good for our overtaxed planet,” the report read in part.

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Up until a certain age, kids tend to appreciate items more than they do experiences

While buying secondhand is an excellent alternative for people seeking to minimize expenses, clutter, and consumerism, many parents—as well as other family and friends—can’t resist the temptation to treat their little one to an item or two that they want dearly. As a matter of fact, more than half of American parents believe that buying things for their kids is a way to bond.

In addition to that, up until a certain age, children reportedly tend to value palpable objects more than they do activities. According to a study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago, kids aged 3 to 12 derive more happiness from material things than from experiences.

“Don’t get me wrong. Young children do love experiences,” noted Lan Nguyen Chaplin, associate professor of marketing at the University of Illinois Chicago and the lead researcher of the study. “Entire industries (e.g., theme parks such as Disneyland) are built around this premise. In fact, young children are ecstatic throughout the experience. However, for experiences to provide enduring happiness, children must be able to recall details of the event long after it is over.”

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According to Chaplin, making sure kids remember the time together can be easily done with the help of a camera, for instance. “Children are likely going to appreciate those experiences more if there is something to remind them of the event. Additionally, they’ll be able to learn the social value of shared experiences,” she explained.

While older children might prefer activities and younger ones – toys, newborns don’t really have preferences yet; though they do have needs. And in order to meet them, the OP had to buy quite a few items, which her mother insisted on paying for, only to change her mind about it soon after. After reading her story, fellow netizens assured the mom-to-be that she wasn’t being unreasonable for not wanting to pay her mother back.

Fellow netizens shared their thoughts in the comments

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Miglė Miliūtė

Miglė Miliūtė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

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Miglė Miliūtė

Miglė Miliūtė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

Jonas Zvilius

Jonas Zvilius

Author, BoredPanda staff

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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Jonas Zvilius

Jonas Zvilius

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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TribbleThinking
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just cut contact. There will be more random rubbish in the future, guaranteed. You're exposing your child to a source of probable harm that has shown itself to value its shallow needs above anyone else. Rifle through your memories and you will recall many incidents that corroborate this.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP said on Mumsnet: "She would scream, shout, cry, call me horrible, selfish, horrible names etc. If I hang up on her she will continue to call me and text and if I don't reply she would come to my house and shout outside my door. She would tell all my family I have been horrible and nasty to her (without saying why or what I had done) and emotionally blackmail me. I have had this my whole life whenever I have said no or not done things her way. When I have tried to put boundaries in place it has caused me nothing but heartache by all the things she has said and done." Yep, you're 100% correct. No surprise mom is being horrible now; she always has been horrible.

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Melissa Harris
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pay her back the total cost (sans interest) and stop excepting 'gifts'. I'd also be prepared to go no contact as people with narcissistic traits don't get better without a willingness to and therapy.

Load More Comments
TribbleThinking
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just cut contact. There will be more random rubbish in the future, guaranteed. You're exposing your child to a source of probable harm that has shown itself to value its shallow needs above anyone else. Rifle through your memories and you will recall many incidents that corroborate this.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP said on Mumsnet: "She would scream, shout, cry, call me horrible, selfish, horrible names etc. If I hang up on her she will continue to call me and text and if I don't reply she would come to my house and shout outside my door. She would tell all my family I have been horrible and nasty to her (without saying why or what I had done) and emotionally blackmail me. I have had this my whole life whenever I have said no or not done things her way. When I have tried to put boundaries in place it has caused me nothing but heartache by all the things she has said and done." Yep, you're 100% correct. No surprise mom is being horrible now; she always has been horrible.

Load More Replies...
Melissa Harris
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pay her back the total cost (sans interest) and stop excepting 'gifts'. I'd also be prepared to go no contact as people with narcissistic traits don't get better without a willingness to and therapy.

Load More Comments
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