11/15/12

What am I supposed to do with all of this baby stuff?

Now that Ollie is 9-months and way too big for his baby stuff, I have an over abundance of baby stuff cramping my style... and crowding the hell out of my very tiny house. I am one of those psychos who's house is ridiculously organized, I mean everything has it's place. Every night after Ollie goes to bed I put up every single toy before I can sit down and relax. I know you veteran moms are shaking your head thinking, she will grow out of that... I know I will ease up sooner or later too, but for now I try to let the house be Oliver's play land by day and Adult play land by night.  Well, now that I am completely over run by newborn stuff with infant stuff stacked on top, I'm running out of 'place' for everything.  I need to do something will all of this stuff!

I have FOUR tubs of Newborn to 6 month old baby clothes, a large swing, two play mats, two bouncy chairs, a Bumbo seat with tray, a newborn car seat and base with a stroller we hate, more toys than I care to admit to having and a huge box of bottles, nipples, pump parts, breastfeeding accessories including shields, freezer bags, holders...oh hell the list just keeps going on.  I have an entire room of baby stuff that needs to be dealt with! Ugh.

Since FTD and I are already talking about a number two, full-on getting rid of all of the stuff is not going to happen, and until we find out what gender number 2 is, the four tubs of clothes are here to stay too.  So now I find myself, stacked, overwhelmed and overrun by baby stuff I don't know what to do with.  I can hear my friend Kitten telling me to lend it out, and my sister saying sell it and get what I need later, but the frugal control freak that runs my brain is saying, DON'T YOU DARE LISTEN TO THEM!



The issue is that I really am out of storage space for it all.  My sister has offered to let me store all of it in her attic until we need it again.  I know what you are thinking, problem solved right?  Yes, well, kind of.  I realized by the time Oliver was 4-months old I had WAY too much of everything. What's worse, I find myself accumulating (buying) more than I need for him now, thus creating the same issue I already have.  So what do I do?  What should I do to control the madness?

I am just starting out as a mother, I feel like if I figure out a good system now, then I will not find myself needing an extra house for baby/toddler stuff later.  I know when Number 2 is finished using the stuff, I can sell and donate without a second thought, but until then I need a system, or self control, or probably both!

So here is my tentative plan for now... I am keeping all of the clothes in the tubs already, I cannot be bothered to go back through all of those clothes. The swings, chairs, play mats, Bumbo... "Docking Stations," I am going to keep the 'best ofs' in my sister's attic and put the others aside for sale.  As for the toys, I will keep the 'best of' plastic or easily cleaned toys, but the stuffed animals and dust catchers with ridiculous cracks and crevasses I am going to donate or sell.

Moving forward I am only going to keep the best gently used clothes and donate/sell the rest, and do the same with the docking stations and toys.  My mission is to not get as overrun and overwhelmed as I am now.

So, now I have this pile of stuff to sell or donate.  What... no, How do I sell the stuff  in the most cost effective manner?  Do I go with Craig's list? eBay? Yard Sale? Once Upon a Child consignment like stores?  No Seriously, I am honestly asking this question of YOU!  I would love... LOVE... to know what is the best way to flog off the baby stuff I no longer want?  I would also love to know what you are doing with or how you are storing the baby stuff you are saving for #2. Please don't tell me I am the only minimalist turned horder in the bunch looking to turn a profit?



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Two confused parents=One amused baby Hopelessly we are trying raise a baby who is clearly smarter than both of us. April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com

10 comments:

AussieMummy said...

I sell everything on a Facebook page called "buy/swap/sell baby, toddler & kids" for my local area. It's also where I buy most of Cooper's clothes. I'm sure there are pages like that for your area :)

Unknown said...

hahaha... you know me... well, I'm all about trying to make a couple dollars if I can- UNLESS it's someone I know that can genuinely use the items. I use ebay for things that are easy to ship, garage sale is best, but quite the pain... the community garage/consignment sales are awesome if you can catch them at the right time- free advertisement, and everyone is out.... craigslist scares me... so word of mouth most often to donate to others, and worst case? Goodwill drop spots :/

Unknown said...

I used Trademe (the NZ equivalent of Craig's List, I think) to get rid of some of our stuff - when I could be bothered I'd sell in small bundles or as individual goods. When I couldn't I sold in big bundles or bulk lots (i.e. 4 pairs of baby pants, 3 tops, 3 pairs of socks etc as 1 bundle). It was heaps easier but I didn't get as much money for them. It's so tricky!

PS I am so jealous your house is organised. I try to organise ours at least 3 times a day, but between the 3 kids and hubby (I love him but holy shite is he messy!) it always looks like the aftermath of a bomb :-S

Hilary @ Peanut Butter Spoonfuls said...

We are basically just hoarding it all for now. Baby #2 won't come for a while but hopefully eventually and until then all the crap is just piling up. Luckily (I guess?) we have a spare room downstairs but it has resulted in me not throwing away a single thing. Not even diapers. Do those go bad or something? I hope not. Looking forward to read how other people are offloading since we'll be there one day!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

I am looking for one now. Please send me the link to the one you use so I can get an idea of what I am looking for. I am having trouble finding it.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Next spring my sisters neigborhood is doing the massive garage sale. Is it really a pain? But totally worth it? I know you have had a lot of success with eBay. I just worry about dealing with shipping a bunch of packages.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

I've heard the bundles make the most sense, I want top dollar! Oh, and Miss Shay, I am married to an aussie as well, I am that naggingg wife that follows his messy ass around. I am obnoxious about the organizing. Don't be jealous, I run aroound too much to enjoy it.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

I don;t have the extra room and I am not throwing stuff out either! I wouold totally save the diapers too. I don't think they have a use by date? I'll let you know about this if you let me know about that! ; )

Merrily Mary said...

I have friends that were pregnant soon after me and in between all my babies. I lent it all out, and got it all back. They added some of theirs to it, I decided not to take some stuff back, and after #2, I sent it all back out again before #3 and then again before #4. I did the same with all my maternity clothes, too. There have been at least 5 people that used all this stuff. It has so many memories attached to it all now. I love it.

Also (simply because you mentioned them by name) Bumbo's were recalled or you have to get a piece to "fix" it or something. Just FYI. I know there are some things that got recalled after my kids were done using them that I didn't hear about until I was having the next one! :)

Organized Chaos said...

I also had the same oroblem but made the mistake of giving too much away. keep anything you are unsure about giving up. you will never regret having been prepared