MIL keeps buying clothes that are way too big for my DC! AIBU?

[PFB1]

There is loads of backstory here. I couldn't possibly give you it all so I'm just going to leave it out and address the current issue.

I may sound like a CF here but MIL always kindly buys our DD's clothes. The problem is the sizes she buys. It's beginning to drive me round the bend.

DD1 has just turned 5. She's short to average height & very slim build. MIL has given her a jumper with Ariel on (her current favourite) in age 7-8! She's only just going into age 5-6 and even then sometimes they drown her. She also bought her a lovely rain coat in that size. She knits and every time she visits she brings knitted cardigans that are absolutely huge. I have tried dropping into conversation about DD being small for her age and only just going into age 5-6 but of course MIL knows best so completely ignores this information and continues to buy these huge sizes. She even gets them to try stuff on, sees it's driving them and says "oh it's lovely on her!" When it's blatantly completely drowning her. She's also buying stuff way too big for my younger DD (but annoyingly not quite big enough to fit DD1). She takes all the tags off clothes. I did politely mention before that if she leaves them on it would be great so I can swap sizes if need be. Again it's fallen on deaf ears.

The main problems here are that a) my house is joe overflowing with clothes that won't fit the kids for years and b) sometimes DD really likes the clothes and is upset she can't wear them.

I'm not sure if I'm BU or if I should be more direct with MIL. She's just such a defensive person and I know I'd be seen as very ungrateful and disrespectful if I do say something more.

And the 5,000 knitted cardigans are just overkill. I feel awful saying that but I just can't possibly keep storing all this stuff 😩

@BoringSoup wouldn’t it make sense to ask which size he needs? most baby and kids clothes are cut for very, very chunky kids, so 2 sizes above might not fit for up to a year!

If you don't want it and she's not listening, either give it straight back or donate to charity (And tell her) Every. Single. Time.

Stop pusdyfooting. It's your house and your children.

Why not get a sewing machine and alter them yourself ??

So now I’m stuck with 3 bloody snowsuits which probably won’t fit him until February!! Madness!!
Just donate them. Not everyone is so ungrateful.

A)cost?
B) not everyone is capable. I couldn’t do it. And they’re not the easiest garments to alter anyway.

My MIL is the opposite, gave DS a cardigan last year in 18-24 months, for his second birthday, and recently another cardigan age 2-3 (he's 3 in December). He's tall and slight but not skinny, I just don't see the sense in it. She never has the receipts for us to exchange either

I would do as PP says and be direct that the girls are x size, and ask either to exchange or for her to keep at her house until they fit.

My youngest is a chunk and I had to tell my MIL for MONTHS Please stop wasting your money and buy size 4-5 instead of 2-3.

She eventually got on board but it took ages to sink in!

I'd rather too big, at least it will fit them at some point!

Maybe she thinks you buy stuff that barely fits and is trying to make a point of her own?
If it really is swimming on them I’d just say ‘oh that’s lovely but I think it’s a bit too big so I’ll put it away for when it fits’. Say the same every time. No doubt your mil likes buying stuff and seeing your dd wearing it so after a while she may start getting stuff that fits. If space is an issue you’ll have to start charity shopping it and if MIL asks where certain items are just be honest and say you have so much stuff put away for her you were running out of places to put it. You can’t really stop her wasting her money but if she isn’t getting the joy out of seeing her dd in the clothes she’ll probably stop.

*her dgd

With the furniture I'd just say something like, 'oh what a shame, we've already decided how we're decorating DD's room, will the shop take yours back'.

Why on earth does she think it's acceptable to start decorating someone else's home? Would she pop round to her next door neighbour with a new table and a couple of chairs?

With the clothes you need to be more direct 'oh goodness that's way too big for her, can you change it for the right size'?

Why are you so afraid of this woman. Talk to her and let her know she's making a mistake with the clothes and don't let her decide on the furniture for your home.