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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to use the gift.

241 replies

Mumtobe12 · 01/03/2017 21:16

Now I don't want to sound ungrateful but MIL is very excited about new arrival which is lovely. But the other day she brought us a Moses basket with out us seeing first and well it so not what I envisioned. It silk and covered in lace looks like something straight out of queen Victoria's nursery.
I don't know what to do DH doesn't want to hurt MIL feelings and has already told her how pretty it is and how much we like it. But I really don't and know he is not a big fan either,
I do appreciate the kindness of the gift but I'm a bit upset I didn't get to pick this out myself.
I have attached picture so you can see for yourself.
What can I do? I can't not use it now?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
MammaTJ · 01/03/2017 22:20

Sorry, I have laughed at your predicament!!

I would never wish a mahoosive baby like my 10lb 5oz DS on anyone, but I wish one on you! It will solve this problem totally!

glueandstick · 01/03/2017 22:22

The people who say you won't give a shit when you're tired and baby is here... I still gave a shit! If you don't like it. You don't like it. You'd be horrified what I did with some stuff....

Strip it down and see what can be salvaged. Save the... ahem... ornate (hideous) coverings for 'best'.

Or have a terrible accident with it with fire.

maggiecate · 01/03/2017 22:23

Yeah, that cat is definitely going to jump in and decide that this is it's new bed/throne. Maybe you could get him a little matching lace bib and tucker in the manner of Tom Kitten.

Bananamanfan · 01/03/2017 22:24

Wowsers! She must realise you can't actually put in there??

Desperina · 01/03/2017 22:28

WHERE DID SHE FIND THAT

I will never go there. OP can't you find some health/safety/god anything hitch. Does she live nearby? Can you just get it out for visits?

Imagine what further horrors there are to come 😱

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 01/03/2017 22:28

Just for accuracy - that's not silk! It's polyester satin, not silk satin.

One stray spark and the whole thing will go up. Shudder.

Vermillioncomfyshoes · 01/03/2017 22:32

When I read OP I was all ready to say you are an ungrateful wretch.

Then I opened the picture. That Moses basket is truly awful.
I mean, it doesn't even look functional. That shiny fabric would shrivel up
in a hot wash wouldn't it? Won't it?

AntiGrinch · 01/03/2017 22:32

Although it is in a way tempting to take the path of least resistance, you can't be polite about this as it will be the thin edge of the wedge. Before you know it, your baby will look like this on a daily basis

To not want to use the gift.
GirlElephant · 01/03/2017 22:33

It should win an award for the ugliest Moses basket! I feel sorry for you OP but your DC is likely to grow out of it very quickly. My DS outgrew his at about 3 months

thegreylady · 01/03/2017 22:34

Is your mil very elderly? I am in my seventies and would never buy anything like that for one of my grandchildren. However I bet she was so happy and excited to found such a "gorgeous" thing for the baby. Just keep it, don't use it, put it in the corner of the bedroom and forget it until mil visits then she can put baby in it. It will soon be outgrown and you can pass it on to the next dgc to arrive.

BirdInTheRoom · 01/03/2017 22:34

Those covers look like they definitely will come off - you can just have the plain wicker basket underneath and it will look much better.

Astro55 · 01/03/2017 22:37

Before you know it, your baby will look like this on a daily basis

LOL - is there a loo roll up there?

Ipsomatic · 01/03/2017 22:37

I think it's incredibly important to learn to be honest with your nearest and dearest asap when first baby is on the way. It's got to happen sooner or later and this seems like a really excellent opportunity. That moses basket make my eyes knock together if I had to share a house with it.

2017SoFarSoGood · 01/03/2017 22:43

Oh dear god that is about as ugly as it gets, isn't it? I don't think I'd be able to put anything in it, even the cat! Unless you can ask her to keep it at her house for visits, you do need to have it gone. Not sure what your plans were but can you say you are planning to get a cosleeper for safety purposes? That is a legitimate excuse to return it I think.

Of course, your cat may be bribed to ignore the ugliness, and will fall in love with its new bed..in a dark corner of the garden Grin

littlefrog3 · 01/03/2017 22:44

I like it PMSL! Must be my weird tastes!

I do think it's much too fussy though and may make baby hot. Plus, as someone said, it could get covered in vom and poo. It doesn't seem very practical. I would still take it though, and maybe take all the fussy frills off. If MIL asks where they are, just say baby vommed on it all twice, so you took the frills off, so as not to ruin it all.

As has been said though, baby will probably only be in it for a little while. Both mine outgrew theirs in 6 weeks!

littlefrog3 · 01/03/2017 22:45

Auntie grinch, I love that Christening robe!

Yep I DO have weird tastes. Grin

ToastVacuum · 01/03/2017 22:45

How often do you see your MIL?

Could you make this the "downstairs" basket? So you have your own choice of basket in the nursery, and get this one out for baby to rest in downstairs when MIL is coming round. Then you put it in the cupboard until next time.

CaoNiMa · 01/03/2017 22:46

Let the cat at it!

S1lentAllTheseYears · 01/03/2017 22:48

Aw, you poor thing, that is horrid, but, even if it was a nice one, it would still be a shame you didn't get to choose it yourself.

I totally agree with a pp, you need to get your DH to have a quiet word and make sure she doesn't go out and buy a pram, cot and highchair next week! Half the fun of a first baby is choosing all the stuff - even if you buy it off eBay, you still get to pick!

My mum had saved practically everything of mine in the loft and it makes me a bit sad even now thinking about it as I'm sure she thought she was doing a lovely thing by keeping it all but it was all so dated and just, meh! Not what I would have chosen. There was nothing left for the in-laws to buy! I look back and secretly wish we'd bought what we wanted and used the rest as 'spares' or kept them at her house or something, even if it did hurt her feelings a bit.

I would buy whatever you want for the baby's main first bed and keep the basket as a 'spare' for when mil visits - older rellies will probably think it's lovely and you can quietly mention it's origins to friends who will understand!

Goodasgoldilox · 01/03/2017 22:48

Photos of new baby inside for MIL - followed by boil wash of all coverings (you can't be too careful about cleanliness/sterilising baby things).

Despite the unfortunate consequences, the remaining basket will be useful and could even be recovered... perhaps you even have some more suitable bedding that you prepared earlier? It is always good to be prepared.

WicksEnd · 01/03/2017 22:49

Jesus Christ! 😂😂😂
You're going to have to build an extention for all the shite your Mil is going to buy.
All that plastic tat and nylon for years to come. Your house will glow in the dark and have sparks coming off it 😬

Blossomdeary · 01/03/2017 22:49

How often are you likely to see her? Use one of your own and stick babe in it when expecting a visit.

My Mum gave me a ghastly nylon frilly layered dress for my first DD - I thanked her and put it away in a drawer. When they visited I put it on her, and as I walked into the room carrying her with it on, my OH said "Good God, what is she wearing? - she looks like a performing monkey!" Oops!

justilou · 01/03/2017 22:49

OMG - it looks like a baby coffin! There is no way I could put my little one in without getting the heebie jeebies!

littlefrog3 · 01/03/2017 22:50

Check this beauty out. m.ebay.co.uk/itm/262868348629

Vinorosso now that IS hideous! Shock Makes me wanna hurl just looking at it.

To not want to use the gift.
littlefrog3 · 01/03/2017 22:52

Check this beauty out. m.ebay.co.uk/itm/262868348629

Vinorosso, that IS hideous. Shock

Makes me wanna hurl just looking at it!

To not want to use the gift.
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