AITAH for not planning to use my nephew’s hand me down baby clothes after my sister later revealed she wants them back?
A Reddit user expecting a baby boy shared a dilemma involving their sister’s offer of hand-me-down baby clothes from her now 10-year-old son. While initially insisting on gifting the clothes for “good luck,” the sister later revealed she wanted them returned,
despite not actively using them for memories. This unexpected condition left the user uncomfortable and hesitant to use the clothes at all. Read the full story below to weigh in on whether they handled the situation appropriately.
‘ AITAH for not planning to use my nephew’s hand me down baby clothes after my sister later revealed she wants them back?’
I (30F) am currently expecting a baby boy, and my older sister (40F) has baby boy clothes stored from when she had her son 10 years ago. She has offered to bring me some of his clothes during her visit this holiday. I originally declined as I didn’t have a big need, and I’m financially capable of buying more clothes but my sister insisted, that it was “good luck” to wear the previous baby’s clothes.
Last night she sorted out her baby clothes from a box and said that she wants them back when I’m done using them. I thought this was weird but asked her why she offered if she wants them back. She said it’s because she has only 1 son and she feels attached to the clothes, but doesn’t plan to have anymore. She has donated his older clothes to goodwill but kept the baby ones.
I asked if she looks at the clothes or something for memories, and she said no they just stay in storage. I said I would have trouble keeping track of all the clothes, and maybe it’s not a good idea to use it then, but my sister said “no, I’ll remember which pieces are mine”.
She also told me to send pictures of my son in the clothes once he wears them… Now I’m turned off and just don’t want to use my nephews clothes at all, store it in a separate bag, and just give it back to her next year. AITAH if I do this?
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Lacroix24601 − NTA. I would not even take the clothes. I’d give them right back. Your sister is weird with the return request. There’s no way anyone could ever keep track of baby clothes to return. (I picked one outfit for each of my sons to keep in their keepsake box. I then gave away everything else)
SleveBonzalez − NTA. Can you imagine if, as inevitably happens, some got ruined? You don’t need that stress.
FloMoJoeBlow − NTA. Sister is creepy. Decline the offer so nephew’s clothes can stay in storage.
theFCCgavemeHPV − If your sister is being that weird, and you don’t feel comfortable declining, take just a couple outfits and use them when she visits or something like that. You can also use the “he grew out of them too quick” excuse.
BlueGreen_1956 − NTA. I would advise you not to take the clothes. If any of them get damaged or lost, your sister sounds like the type to have a fit.
Redhead122024 − NTA. I gave my sister my kids baby clothes when she had hers and never expected/wanted her to return them. That’s how it works. If I wanted to keep any for posterity, I wouldn’t have given them away.
Katybratt18 − NTA. That sounds like an odd and uncomfortable situation. She seems to give off creepy boy mom vibes and is probably gonna be a monster in law when her precious baby boy grows up and gets married
Haelo_Pyro − NAH. It’s fine for her to want them back if they’re special, but if you don’t want the responsibility of them potentially being lost or damaged you don’t have to accept them.
Sea_Firefighter_4598 − NTA. There is something odd going on emotionally with your sister around this.
TicoSoon − Do NOT take those clothes. She is setting you up for sure. Because baby clothes get yarfed on, s**t on, drooled on, spilled on, stained, torn, and generally beat to hell. It’s what happens. She will then freak out on you for being “disrespectful” and “trampling on her memories” and all the other b**lshit manipulation she can whip out. Do not set yourself up for that mess. Not worth your stress level.
Do you think the user is justified in not wanting to use the hand-me-down clothes, given the strings attached? How would you navigate a similar situation with a sentimental family member? Share your opinions below!