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Housekeeping

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De cluttering and family heirloom ...

24 replies

Freelady · 01/01/2022 21:54

20 years ago when we had our first dc , my df made the most beautiful and very large jacobian style crib for his first grandchild. It had tall wood sides and dc could never sleep in it. Nor second.
Df took many hours of skill and care making it.
It has been in the loft for years.
My dear df passed away some years ago. We have moved to a smaller house and i really have to use space well.
Am.de cluttering at the moment and I can see it takes up so much space. For years have used it.to hold old toys or fabric but am really paring everything down. I have just come accross the container concept in that your house is viewed as a container and only has so much space and in order to avoid clutter you have a accept there is only so much space!.revelation to me !
Anyway for the first time its crossed my mind that maybe I should give this item away .. but the thoughr immediately comes into head that.my df would be so upset if i gave it away.
Anyone else had similar thoughts / situation ..?and what did you do . Am now in my late 50s and am aware if saved it for my own dc they feel.responsibility passed to them later if i keep it .. we do have a lovely small rocking horse( less detalied less showing of his skill and a baramoter he restored to keep) .. but how on earth do you give away something so painstakingly made that you know yr df wanted to be a heriloom.??
Also were would i take it ? Ive wondered about to a local nursery for kids to.play with it ? If they say no ( as it is big )what on earth could i do with it ???

OP posts:
platerspinner · 01/01/2022 21:56

Could you donate it to a local national trust place of that era, you know where they set up rooms for display. Or try to sell it and use the money to remember your father in a different way

SleepingStandingUp · 01/01/2022 21:58

Gosh that sounds beautiful but yes, I can see your dilemma.

Have you spoken to your kids? What do they think? Do they have their own homes? How old are they?

Headunderthecovers · 01/01/2022 21:58

I genuinely would keep it for your children.

Is there any way you can use it for another purpose so it's not just sitting there?

My most treasured possessions are family heirlooms of this nature.

Weenurse · 01/01/2022 21:59

This is a really difficult one.
You didn’t use it, if you think your DC won’t use it either, then I would donate it somehow.
Is there a local historical house that might have use for it as a display?

Weenurse · 01/01/2022 22:00

Sorry cross post

Hibiscusroses · 01/01/2022 22:00

Does it meet current safety standards? If not then I don't think you could in all conscience donate it to anyone who would use it for a baby. Agree that a museum or similar might be the best option.

Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:01

It would not meet any saftey standards , its based on an historical peice...

OP posts:
Headunderthecovers · 01/01/2022 22:02

Have you got a picture you can post?

user1493494961 · 01/01/2022 22:05

Try a local museum.

Whataboutlove · 01/01/2022 22:06

Could you have it made into something useful? Bedside tables for example? Or use a part of it for something else to remember your dad.

If it does not meet safety standards then you cannot keep it for future grandchildren.

Your dad made it out of love. He's no longer here, you can't hurt his feelings. Do what's best for you Thanks

Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:06

Its in the loft eaves at mo . I could tomorrow...
If you google victorain crib something like it may come up.. its large with like a hood over it .

OP posts:
Totalwasteofpaper · 01/01/2022 22:07

I am a strong declutterer and take no prisoners however...

Assuming it is beautiful and given the care and love taken to make, I would keep it.
Either in the loft a bay window, in a spare wardrobe etc.

Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:08

www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/victorian_pine_and_oak_rocking_childs_cradlecrib/as1083a034
Like this but much nicer

OP posts:
Headunderthecovers · 01/01/2022 22:09

Could a carpenter convert it into something useful, so preserving the work of your father but into say storage box (with a different wood lid?)

Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:12

Thats a great idea. ! My df was a skilled woodturner and carpenter and restorer .. so they would have to be equally skilled.
There is a skilled craftsman in our village !

OP posts:
Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:14

I could have a box made for each dc .!

OP posts:
Daisy4569 · 01/01/2022 22:17

Yes I’d definitely see if you can get it converted into something you can make use of. The added benefit of you being able to enjoy his hard work rather than it being in the loft too.

Freelady · 01/01/2022 22:20

Sometimes mumsnet is SO Amazing!

OP posts:
Hibiscusroses · 01/01/2022 22:20

@Freelady

I could have a box made for each dc .!
I love this idea
Ihaveaskedyouthrice · 01/01/2022 22:22

Love the idea of turning it into something useable. Personally I would have hated to be given something like that by my parents with the expectation that I would use it for my children.

Bendydich · 01/01/2022 22:24

You could have it turned into a sofa? I'll see if I can find a photo that I saw the otherday

Bendydich · 01/01/2022 22:26

pin.it/17UcA6T

Bendydich · 01/01/2022 22:27

Oh dear sorry it's much too small 🤣 but a box would be lovely

SlowBoiledFrog · 01/01/2022 22:59

Please just check with your dc first. Whilst i agree the boxes sound lovely my mother gave away an heirloom as she didn't think I'd want it and I am gutted.

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