I’m sorry you’ll likely never have anything brand new.
As the youngest of three siblings, I was always the recipient of hand-me-downs. Whatever my older sisters wore—whether it was stylish, worn out, or just plain embarrassing—was what I had to make do with. My wardrobe was consistently seven years behind the trends, and my shoes and accessories were often in worse shape. I spent my childhood on secondhand bikes, dancing in pre-loved tap shoes, and sporting a Wonder Woman lunchbox long after it was considered cool.
It was frustrating. I wandered through toy stores and girls’ departments wishing for just one new item—be it a pair of socks or a hair clip.
When I became a parent, I vowed my youngest would not endure the same fate. I envisioned a future devoid of worn-out pants, faded shirts, mismatched pajamas, and superhero underwear that should have been retired long ago. I promised myself he would receive the same treatment as my oldest, complete with shiny new toys and clothes.
Then I had four boys. Yes, four! How could I not save everything and pass it down? My youngest is currently rocking shorts from the late ’90s. In fact, while sorting laundry, I stumbled upon a shirt that had four different family names crossed off the tag, leaving only ours—meaning it had been through at least four kids before reaching my youngest. That shirt could have technically been on its eighth child. I call this a major #ParentingWin.
I have no shame in the fact that my fourth child slept in a used crib, wore cloth diapers that were well-loved by his brothers, and played with toys that had been around for a decade. Remember those pricey $65 leather shoes I bought for my firstborn? Yep, those are now on the feet of my youngest. He’s rolled around in stained baseball pants, sipped from cracked sippy cups, and even donned Halloween costumes from years past.
Do I feel guilty about my hand-me-down kid? Not at all. It’s so much easier to grab a box of clothes and toys than to drag a child through a store. Plus, the money we’ve saved is substantial—a small fortune, really. More lattes for me!
And you know what? My youngest has taken it all in stride. When I do splurge on something new for him, he’s genuinely grateful. He appreciates the value of things and understands that not everything has to be tossed aside for something newer. He knows how to repurpose, and his gratitude contrasts beautifully with his more fortunate older brothers. This mindset may be the best outcome of all.
As for all the money I’ve saved? I now see where it’s going—it’ll be spent on all the cute accessories like bows and tutus for my first granddaughter. Perhaps that’s the real joy of grandchildren: ensuring they don’t experience hand-me-downs like I did.
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In summary, being the youngest often means wearing hand-me-downs, but it fosters gratitude and a sense of value in things. Embracing this lifestyle has not only saved money but also instilled important lessons in my children.