Should hand-me-downs to siblings include underwear?
I was folding clothes the other day and Lilina came into the bedroom needing some underwear. I knew she was outgrowing the ones she had, so I pulled from the clean pile some of Rose’s underwear that were small on Rose and handed them to the 3-year-old.
Poor Lilina started protesting as I was pulling them on her. “But Momma, Rose’s underwear are too big for me.” (They were sixes that had shrunk so they weren’t as big as you might think. They were roomy but not falling off of her.)
But her protests made me wonder: Should I be passing down underwear even if I pass down everything else? Does the child deserve at least the dignity of having her own underwear?
My mother claims that to this day my dad is very possessive of his underwear because growing up all six brothers shared an underwear drawer. If you got up late or showered late, you ended up with the worst in the drawer. I have no idea if this is true or not but I hope I’m not creating some condition that my children will later discuss with a therapist by passing down clothes especially underwear.
It doesn’t seem right to throw away perfectly good clean underwear once a child grows out of if it though. But would I want to wear someone else’s undies?
My mother saved almost every article of clothing I have ever worn and all three of my children have worn hand-me-down nightgowns, robes, shorts and tops from me and even my brother. (Walsh and Lilina both wore an awesome Charlie’s Angels T-shirt that was my brother’s.)
Walsh wore Rose’s training underwear and Lilina wore all the same pairs. I saved all of Rose’s underwear and gave away Walsh’s to charity.
Walsh wore some of Rose’s stuff if it wasn’t too girly. And Lilina has worn 90 percent of Rose’s old clothes and even some of her brother’s stuff. She’s adorable in his old Georgia jerseys.
So what do you think: Is it OK to pass down clothes in general? Should underwear or bathing suits fall into a different category? Is that OK or does each child deserve their own undies?
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83 comments Add your comment
some guy
August 25th, 2010
12:49 am
i bet the charity was super pumped to get a bunch of used toddler undies…
motherjanegoose
August 25th, 2010
4:04 am
WE never had this problem…boy and girl. NO….underwear gets tossed.
Good thing my painters are finished inside…I have errands to run. Y’all have fun with this!
smh
August 25th, 2010
5:28 am
Funny, the DH and I had a similar conversation several months ago. He says no on the underclothes. I have no problem with it between my girls. Once neither girl can use the underwear then they get tossed. I spoke to my depression-era mother in law, the DH’s mom and she agreed with me :)
Mike
August 25th, 2010
5:45 am
Underwear gets passed down. Absolutely no problem with it. I have faith in the cleansing power of my washing machine.My problem is beginning to be the sort. How to tell whose underwear is whose. I’m beginning to rely on the kids to tell the clothes apart. I pull mine out and the really obvious pieces, then make the kids pull theirs. The rest belong to Mom by default.
Jeff
August 25th, 2010
5:58 am
Underwear should not be interchanged, even between a couple. Boxers, maybe, but that’s it. Between a couple that is. Seems like I got off-course.
1sus
August 25th, 2010
6:26 am
I have one boy and one girl so that hasn’t been an issue. But I used and have certainly passed along underwear at the potty training stage. Sometimes just threw them out rather than clean if messy and didn’t feel bad since they were recycled.
motherjanegoose
August 25th, 2010
7:51 am
smh….DH mamas used to darn sox too. Wonder if any of the posters here know what a darning ball is…catlady? DB? Becky….you might know?
We throw out old socks now. Takes more time to mend them than $3-$5 to buy a new pair.
For me, it would take more time to put the thread into the eye of that darn needle…I would have to find my “readers” first…anyone else :)
Trivia for the day…
http://www.patternworks.com/productdetail/300415/—DARNING-BALL-SET-OF-3.htm
Have fun…I can leave my house!
gotta scoot!
A
August 25th, 2010
8:05 am
Sorry, but I think this is a silly topic. I don’t see how sharing underwear among siblings is a big deal unless you’re sharing between a boy and girl. If you’re doing laundry correctly, underwear should come out a clean as anything else. If you have a problem with handing it down, then buy a new pack…they aren’t usually that expensive!
BShepCarlin
August 25th, 2010
8:06 am
Oh yes, they pass the underwear down. I have 2 boys that are 3 yrs apart and the 3 yr old is wearing the old underwear from the 6 yo. My oldest grew so fast that the old underwear is like new really. I don’t know about girls, but boys just don’t seem to care about this sort of thing.
Lady Strange
August 25th, 2010
8:07 am
Clothes I can understand passing down, but underwear? Come on! No one wants someone elses’ used underwear. I don’t care how many times you wash it. Buy the kid some new underwear!
Photius
August 25th, 2010
8:08 am
I’m all for being cheap and saving money, but toss the undies.
CDD
August 25th, 2010
8:08 am
Underwear does get handed down in my house too, but only between 2 of my girls. They’re 17 mon. apart so everything the older one grows out of (in good shape) goes immediately to the next one’s closet or dresser. Trying to figure out who’s stuff is who’s around here isn’t a problem anymore since I’ve started doing laundry a certain way: son & oldest daughter get their laundry washed together. Then middle daughter & youngest daughter. Hubby & I get ours together or as add-on to make a full load.
Ah well, gotta run & get the chillins up now. Getting them up earlier to get ready for school starting Monday. Hope everyone has a great day.
JJ
August 25th, 2010
8:14 am
Ewwww….gross. No way would I want to share underware with anyone. That is just too personal of an item to be passing around. Underware is not that expensive to have to wear someone else’s. Buy Liliana some nice new underware that is her’s and her’s alone.
This is gross, and I’m outta here.
Congratulations
August 25th, 2010
8:24 am
If you are reading this blog, you have officially reached the end of the Internet. Obviously, there can’t be anything left to see. This is it, the end. A blog about hand me down underwear. Way to go folks! You did it!
TechMom
August 25th, 2010
8:29 am
I don’t see the big deal with young kids. Teenagers I get but I’m definitely in the who cares category. That being said, a 6 pack of kids underwear from Hanes or FoTL costs all of about $5 so if the kid thinks it’s a big deal, buy them new underwear. I might be weird but I actually can’t stand sharing socks. My son does not hesitate to grab a pair of my socks if his are all dirty or he doesn’t feel like walking upstairs. Probably b/c he stretches them out and will get them all stained and dirty (I have no idea how they get so nasty).
T – I do find it very bizarre that your mother saved all of your and your brother’s clothes. I get holding onto clothes for a couple of years while you’re having children but after that, save the sentimental stuff and donate the rest.
HB
August 25th, 2010
8:35 am
With toddlers, I think it’s fine, but please be sure to doublecheck with charities before donating them. Most don’t distribute undies, and they get tossed in the trash with other unacceptable items (like clothes too worn out to pass on — remember, folks, they’re looking for gently used items).
Stephanie
August 25th, 2010
8:41 am
I have a Girl/Boy combo, so we dont pass down underwear, but I would if they were the same gender. I dont see why it matters with siblings.
However, I am a big consignment sale shopper and I will not buy underwear or bathing suits used.That just seems gross- with the sibling sits all int he family and you knew who wore it!
CPT
August 25th, 2010
8:44 am
At age 3 – yes absolutely, the underwear is fine. At 16 – no.
Busy Mom
August 25th, 2010
9:00 am
With small children, yes! Those things are pricey. Maybe when they are older they won’t like to wear the hand me downs, but my young ones don’t care.
Peachy
August 25th, 2010
9:07 am
Underwear is a personal choice…for some it is ok ato pass down and others it’s not. It seems this bothered Liliana so get the girl some new panties…she is wearing hand me down everything else, so let her make this choice!
DB
August 25th, 2010
9:09 am
Sorry, but I just don’t believe in handing down underwear. I’m sure it’s fine, but there’s just a finicky streak in me that believes that any part of clothing that is regularly in that close contact with your butt doesn’t need to be passed around. Underwear is cheap. If it’s not ok to share used underwear with people outside of the family — don’t family members deserve the same dignity and consideration you’d give an outsider?
I remember when I was in high school and my mother decided to have her first yard sale. My cousin, who had a lot of experience with yard sales, came over to help my mom organize things, and for some reason, the topic of “things I couldn’t sell” came up. I mentioned “underwear — ewww!” My cousin said, “Doesn’t matter — put it out there, people will buy ANYTHING.” I told her “No way!!” and we had a bet if they would be sold, so I put a few old pairs out on the table.
I lost my bet.
Lori
August 25th, 2010
9:13 am
I don’t hand down the underwear and swim suits. I only hand down the clothes that are in excellent condition. Think about it, would you want to wear someone else’s underwear? If you wouldn’t want to, why would you force your child to? Each child deserves the dignity of their own personal items.
Just be sure to toss...
August 25th, 2010
9:13 am
the one’s with “skid marks”, or charge extra for them…
YUKI
August 25th, 2010
9:13 am
A good friend of mine gave me a bag of clothes from her boys who had outgrown it…shorts, shirts, and also underwear. She asked me if that grossed me out and at the time I said “no!”. But fastforward about a year later when my son started to potty train…I took out the underwear, washed them and tried to put them on him, but I just couldn’t do it! I went to the store and bought him all new. I know it’s different if it’s within the family. I’ll buy gently used clothes no problem, but underwear? Maybe if he has a brother at some point would I consider it but I think I’d probably just buy new. I save money other ways!
DB
August 25th, 2010
9:13 am
@MJG: I know what a darning ball is, but I’ve never used one! I used to do a lot of sewing when the kids were younger (and fit was not so finicky!), but I figured that if the socks were that worn, out they go. The only thing I’ve ever had darned/rewoven was a gorgeous heirloom tablecloth that I have that got a hole in it.
Becky
August 25th, 2010
9:18 am
Under 5-6, I see no problem passing them down..Of course I am the youngest girl (5 older), so I always had hand me downs of everything..No long lasting ill effects..My two have always had new, but when they outgrow them, they both want to pass them on to the girl cousins and the baby brother..As someone else said, between family, a good wash with detergent and bleach should get them clean enough to not have to worry..
@MJG..Oh yeah, I know what a darning ball is..My aunt had one, but I’m in agreement with you about darning socks, not gonna happen at my house..lol..
Most people that are worried about handing down underwear, never think twice about going into a store and trying clothes on that goodness know how many other people have tried on..Then when they buy them, they wear them without ever washing them..To me, life is too short to worry about clean used undies between sibilings..
JATL
August 25th, 2010
9:18 am
HA -I was just wondering this yesterday as I was doing laundry and realized some of my oldest’s undies are getting too small for him. Should I save them for the younger boy? Going into the hand me down situation I felt like everyone deserved their own shoes -although since in the early years some shoes get little wear and are in great shape, I’ve amended that a little bit. I think this is the way I feel regarding undies -if they are completely stain free AND the child doesn’t have a problem with it -then fine. If my youngest complains about regular hand-me-downs, too bad -he still gets plenty of first-run clothes (and shoes) but I might side with him if he complains about undies. I always get the absolute HEEBIE JEEBIES when I see underwear for sale at thrift stores like Value Village! YUCK! While his brother’s wouldn’t be some stranger’s undies -it’s still a little personal!
DigALittleDeeper
August 25th, 2010
9:29 am
Underware is the cheaptest items to replace in a wardrobe. Hand-me-down underware is NOT exceptable in my opinion and I don’t care who wore them. That’s just nasty. But, I’m not from a large family.
I’m also very leary of buying items that clearly shows that someone tried them on in a store. I’ve often asked the sales clerk to bring items from the back storage.
I also give away clothes to charities at least twice a year and I have never included underware. I just never expected anyone would want to wear my underware or my childs.
Cammi317
August 25th, 2010
9:37 am
Okay, this is just disgusting. No one should EVER wear anyone else’s underwear. I don’t care how much you wash/bleach them, that is just disgusting. This topic is going to creep me out for the rest of the day….UGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Denise
August 25th, 2010
9:48 am
I don’t think it’s gross at all. Actually my nephews (2 years apart) where the same size underwear so there is no “these are mine, these are his”. How can you do that with tighty whiteys unless you label them? That might be kind of gross to some but they all get washed and they’re clean.
Andrea
August 25th, 2010
9:54 am
I can admit that I am one of the most frugal (i.e. cheapest) people on the planet. BUT, this is extreme. I don’t care if they are 2 and 3 year olds. They should not share underwear. Recycle aluminum cans – yes, jean shorts – yes, shirts – yes, underwear – NO!
Mary
August 25th, 2010
9:55 am
If you, as an adult, are willing to go to Goodwill and buy someone else’s used underware, and you feel ok with that, then by all means, do it with your children. Seriously, underware is NOT THAT EXPENSIVE.
Your kids should have the best of what you can give them. If you cannot afford to buy new underware for your children, you have no business having children in the first place.
A
August 25th, 2010
10:01 am
Hi-I’m the mean A who promised not to troll anymore. The A above seems very nice and we have agreed that she is now A. I will go be someone else. She may have been A long before I was-I’m new to this but have retired.
Also, panties? I agree with A.
Old Man Tate
August 25th, 2010
10:03 am
My kids (boy 10 and girl 8) go without underwear. They like the freedom. They would die if they had to wear used underwear.
ODBAlpha
August 25th, 2010
10:10 am
Handing down clothes is bad enough, but handing down underwear? That’s just nasty!
Andre
August 25th, 2010
10:11 am
Oh no, this shouldn’t even be a discussion. Even if my money is low, times are hard, tree crashed into the house, car is in a river, there’s a 500 year flood, abnormal Earthquake in Atlanta, the power is off, water is off, my child will always have their very own underwear.
Sharin' Sharon
August 25th, 2010
10:15 am
Is it okay for spouses to wear one another’s undies?
Mama
August 25th, 2010
10:24 am
NO. No interchanging.
Mattie
August 25th, 2010
10:24 am
I would not pass down anything stained or stretched, even among siblings. But, I remember many nights when we would be together with friends and decide to throw the kids in the tub and dress them for bed. Nobody thought anything of borrowing underwear then. We had several cute pairs of Gap boxers that passed through several neighborhood kids too.
Now that my sons are young men of college age, they prefer Nike Pro underwear. At $20+ each, (which I won’t spend, Jockey is my price limit), they have been known to swipe a pair from the dresser of a brother.
KMM
August 25th, 2010
10:29 am
We had this conversation just the other day. I was keeping old undies to pass from our 3yo boy to the baby (also a boy) and my husband refused and insisted I throw them out. He said “we aren’t so poor that we can’t get them new undies!” I gave in there.
On the other hand, he wants to save shoes and pass them on, where I was raised that you should get new shoes because they mold to your feet and it could hurt the growth of the next kid if they don’t have properly fitting shoes. Any thoughts there?
Happy in Midtown
August 25th, 2010
10:33 am
I wear my wife’s hand me downs all the time- I don’t see the issue-
TinaTeach
August 25th, 2010
10:40 am
While I only have one kiddo right now (10 months old) if I have another boy we will certainly pass down underwear. I mean we use cloth diapers and plan to reuse them when baby no. 2 comes along so it just makes sense to do the same with underwear. Once they’re older (teenagers that is) they will get their own.
Mo
August 25th, 2010
10:41 am
I think each child should have their own fresh never been on anybody else’s bottom underwear. Children often feel funny enough wearing hand me down clothes, let them maintain some dignity please.
lwa
August 25th, 2010
10:48 am
Theresa– Lilina is already wearing a lot of hand me downs. Can she at least have her own underwear?
I don’t give it away and I won’t pass it down. It’s just nasty to me.
Darryl J
August 25th, 2010
10:53 am
NO..that’s just nasty. You would not share under with an adult sibling or anyone else for that matter why would you to that to a child. I understand the clothes option with hand me downs but underwear is where the line should be drawn.
jg
August 25th, 2010
10:53 am
This is a true story – my kid’s dad would never pay CS and would only send the kids HIS AND HIS WIFE’S hand-me-down clothes. Now we are talking the kids were 8 and 5 – and once he sent a box of at least 30 pairs of his old underpants POLO mind you – my son was 8 – Dad was maybe 29 at the time. I sent them to a homeless shelter. It would have been one thing if the Power Rangers were on the drawers (kidding). Goes down as one of the stupidest things he did to the kids.
jg
August 25th, 2010
10:53 am
and NO – you never pass on underwear. That is just gross.
LM
August 25th, 2010
11:11 am
When I had my daughter I used a diaper service for the first month or so. They were used, but clean and sanitized so I felt no problem using the service. Then I switch to cloth diapers until it was time for panties. Used her sister’s training pants and plastic covers. I don’t see much difference between the two. As long as they are clean, a little bleach goes a long way, I see no problem. What is the difference between cloth diapers and underpants?
LM
August 25th, 2010
11:15 am
MJG… my girlfriend and I were discussing darning socks the other day. she buys nice dress socks for her husband and when they get a hole she will darn them. I know how, just don’t have nice enough socks, but have also repaired sweaters when they get a pull or tear.
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
August 25th, 2010
11:43 am
sorry Cammi — didn’t mean to give anyone the creeps.
FCM. on my cell
August 25th, 2010
12:03 pm
Both daughters share since they are same size. Imagine when sets appear that will change.
Never to charity. Gross
DB
August 25th, 2010
12:07 pm
As far as shoes — it depends on the wear. Obviously, with the little shoes that people put on babies before they start walking — no problem. Even dress shoes for older children — shoes that aren’t worn very often — are ok. But school shoes or play shoes that are worn frequently — I’ve heard, too, that shoes mold to the feet of the wearer and don’t fit as well as a hand-me-down. Don’t know if there’s any truth to the rumor — but as sweaty as my kids’ feet were, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been too crazy about putting them in used shoes, either!
hayley
August 25th, 2010
12:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Mom of Two
August 25th, 2010
1:10 pm
What’s the difference between a hand-me-down shirt and hand-me-down underwear? As long as it’s clean and not stained, torn, or otherwise worn out, there’s nothing wrong with passing down underwear. When kids are little, they outgrow clothes – including underwear – long before it wears out. Once they get older (pre-teen, teen), I can see not passing down underwear. But, that’s only because the first one will likely wear it until it’s worn out, especially since bleach takes a toll on the elastic.
I have 2 older sisters and have spent my entire life wear hand-me-downs. That included underwear when I was little. I don’t remember ever giving it a second thought.
My sisters and I still exchange clothes. It’s a great way to get some new pieces without spending money. It’s usually just tops, sometimes dresses, more frequently it’s formal stuff. Come to think of it, nursing bras were passed from one of us to the other along with the rest of the maternity clothes. Technically, that means underwear is still being worn as a hand-me-down in my family and we’re all well over 30 something.
Kate
August 25th, 2010
1:15 pm
I’m pretty sure handing down my son’s tighty no-longer whities to his younger brother would qualify as child abuse! His undies get tossed in the trash as soon as he outgrows them, although I should probably burn them!
JATL
August 25th, 2010
1:20 pm
Yeah, I NEVER give away used underwear -children’s or adults. I give away a lot of clothes and shoes, but never underwear. When my mother passed away last year, I did give away a lot of her slips and camisoles because she honestly had so many of them it made me sick to throw them away, and I don’t use them. However, even though the woman’s panties were pristine, they all went in the garbage. She would have died all over again at the very thought of wearing or handing down used underwear!
BlondeHoney
August 25th, 2010
1:29 pm
My two boys are only 17 months apart and wore the same size when they were little guys so their underwear was pretty much interchangeable…we always lost track of whose underwear were whose becaus ethey all had the same cartoon characters. Once they got older though they kept track of their own tidy whities :)
RJ
August 25th, 2010
1:38 pm
Passing down clothing is fine…but underwear, that’s where I would draw the line. Thankfully I don’t have that issue, but if I did, well, I still wouldn’t have an issue. Walmart sells inexpensive underwear all day long:)!
Congratulations
August 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
“What’s the difference between a hand-me-down shirt and hand-me-down underwear?”
Ballsweat.
JOD
August 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
I am saving some of DD’s clothes for a potential younger sibling, but hadn’t thought yet about underwear. Anything I don’t love that is in good shape is donated periodically. She is still in pull-ups, so her current underwear is still practically new – I could see potentialy saving this underwear, although I’m not sure it’s worth the space it will take up. Once she’s older, I’m not sure I would consider it at all (certainly not after around age 8).
JATL
August 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
@Congratulations -I see that even though you consider this to be the bottom barrel of the internet, it intrigued you enough to return and post! Hee hee. Ballsweat and other unmentionables! I like the post that referred to -if it touched your butt, it shouldn’t be passed around! Reminds me of all the naked bike riders riding borrowed bikes at Burning Man (wow -that’s kind of a tongue twister). They have a bike camp where you can pick up a bike, ride it around for awhile and then return it. The thought of riding one of those seats after who-knows-who gripped it with their hoo-ha just makes me flip out!
LM
August 25th, 2010
2:19 pm
JATL.. you are too funny, butt… how do you know this unique piece of information about Burning Man?
lwa
August 25th, 2010
2:21 pm
@congratulations – that is what a lot of us are thinking. LOL!
For those of you who think it is okay to pass down underwear than am I to assume that you visit goodwill looking for yours?
@mom of two – nursing bras are not panties. Those two items r different.
For sanitary reasons it just doesn’t seem like the right thing to do…
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
August 25th, 2010
2:25 pm
JATL — that is gross! too funny!!
Andrea
August 25th, 2010
2:28 pm
No. 90% of my clothes were hand-me-downs. The exception was underwear and and special occasion outfits. Every child should get brand spankin new underwear at least once a year. Old underwear fal apart. What would the doctors think if the child ended up in the hospital for some reason? That was my mother’s reasoning!
PhotoMomof4
August 25th, 2010
3:31 pm
Our youngest boys shared the same underwear for a long time since they were the same size. Now that they are 9 & 10, they prefer different styles so this isn’t an issue. They also do their own laundry so they don’t mix up the rest of their clothes.
DB
August 25th, 2010
3:47 pm
@JATL: after who-knows-who gripped it with their hoo-ha . . . Omigod, I shouldn’t have been sipping a Diet Coke while reading that — I had to clean off the computer screen!!
DB
August 25th, 2010
3:48 pm
I mean, honestly, folks — who would want a pair of used thongs? And why is it “worse” for older kids undies than it is for younger kids?
jan
August 25th, 2010
4:39 pm
3 daughters and I am not sure they even knew which were which unless they washed them themselves. All came from the same store and usually same style. If they were washed in the family load of clothes I just left them in a basket for them to sort.
motherjanegoose
August 25th, 2010
4:57 pm
T…is THIS the underwear story you were talking about last Friday? I just NOW remembered it.
Maybe it is the paint fumes in here but things are looking great! :)
penguinmom
August 25th, 2010
5:03 pm
My youngest has hand-me-down underwear from his brother. They have characters on them that he likes (some you can’t get anymore) and he wants to wear them. I’m fine with it as long as they aren’t in bad shape. We still buy him an occasional pack of his own also so that he gets to choose what character is on them.
Once he gets older, I figure he’ll have an opinion one way or the other. If he doesn’t care, I don’t either.
It’s not like you’re passing on germs. As long as it’s been through the wash, it’s fine.
smh
August 25th, 2010
5:03 pm
MJG – I know what a darning ball is but never had one. My mom had me use a light bulb to mend socks. Now I don’t bother :) In our house it’s rarely an issue of holes but rather the socks are beyond bleaching LOL.
Tiffany
August 25th, 2010
5:19 pm
It’s good to know that there are a lot of you who are fine off financially and don’t mind spending the extra money on your kids underwear. Keep in mind however, that there are many families out there these days who are down on their luck financially. It just makes sense to reuse something that is useful-clean underwear in good condition is no exception. In our family we have passed along many items between siblings and cousins-underwear and bathing suits, too. Also- please don’t forget that there are ALWAYS others in need out there…DONATE your gently worn underwear as well as any other clothing items to charity. Some charities will give vouchers to those in need so that they may shop in the thrift store to get what they need. A lot of these families may be victims of fires, floods, ect. and would like to be able to fully clothe themselves…including underwear! As far as Theresa’s situation…if your baby is willing to wear hand-me-downs without a fuss for everything else-getting her some new cute panties that she can pick out herself can be quite a treat. She will feel very special to have something that is all hers. But believe me, there is NOTHING wrong with hand-me-downs!
motherjanegoose
August 25th, 2010
6:50 pm
@ Tiffany….I donate boxes and bags of clothes all the time JUST NOT UNDERWEAR. I have even debated about pajamas and robes.
Here is something many might want to know:
If you have old suitcases…these are also helpful. I have a rolling duffel filled with clothes that are going to be donated, next week. The clothes will be taken out but some folks are literally living out of a paper bag and a suitcase, to transport things, is valuable. I go through suitcases like crazy, due to my travels and have been told to please donate the ones that still can be used. Just a tidbit some may want to know.
JATL
August 25th, 2010
7:40 pm
@LM and DB -DB, sorry you had to clean off your screen! I guess it is a pretty amusing mental image! I’m all about nature and I love to be naked, but I have my limits! LM -I’ve been to Burning Man a good bit. I haven’t gotten to go the last few years, but I hope to return sometime in the next 5 years or so. I miss it!
@TWG -there’s a column idea for you -events you CAN take your kids to, but do you or do you leave them at home? Should you? Who does and who doesn’t and why? We’re all about yes to kids and music festivals but no to our kids and Burning Man. I don’t have a problem seeing other people’s kids out there, I just don’t think it would be a good situation for us.
HB
August 25th, 2010
8:45 pm
DFACS sometimes will accept suitcases too. Foster children often don’t have anything to pack their things in when they move from one home to another.
catlady
August 26th, 2010
12:06 pm
Girl-boy-girl Nope, no passing down.
I think everyone has covered the reasons well.
Kady
August 26th, 2010
4:31 pm
I cannot believe that you are all so upset over this – ridiculous! Let me ask you – do you use the same toilet seat, washcloths, towels, sheets etc. as other family members? How about all your family’s clothes touching in the washing machine or dryer or laundry basket. By the reasoning I’ve read here, you must all be carrying around your own toilet seat and buying everyone in the family their own set of linens. I don’t know how you function if little Johnny’s Underoo’s are washed in the same load as your briefs. Good grief!
Oh heavens! Clean is clean (I’m obviously not talking about stained or worn out underwear) so stop wasting perfectly good clothing. For goodness sake I doubt most toddlers/pre-schoolers worry about where their underwear came from. They are much more concerned with what character is on the front. How about families with multiples – do you seriously think that parent is labeling each pair of underwear?
This is one hang-up to let go of – although I will add the caveat of only passing along non-stained, non-wornout and from someone that I could personally vouch for their cleanliness.
DB
August 26th, 2010
11:31 pm
@JATL: After perusing the Burning Man website, my mental image of JATL has been flipped inside out!
Kady
August 27th, 2010
7:12 am
I tried to post this yesterday but I guess it was lost in cyberspace…
When you are speaking of clean/non-stained and in good shape underwear, there should be no problem with passing it along to another person. (I would add the caveat that I would like to be able to vouch for that original wearer’s cleanliness so I think it’s best a situation for people who know each other well, like family members.)
I could not believe how many people were grossed out by this – I mean are you all using the same towels, washcloths, other linens and toilet seats as your family? How do you function knowing little Johnny’s Superman underwear touched your briefs in the same washing machine or laundry basket? Heaven forbid! It’s just a weird notion that we should get over – no need to waste perfectly good clothing over nonsensical reasoning.
JATL
August 29th, 2010
8:08 pm
@DB -you may not even see this, but you would probably be surprised. I have a rather “eclectic” personality and sense of style! I love my Burning Man attire (or lack of), but in the real world, while that flame is always burning inside, I enjoy lots of real types of style. That’s not to say I don’t rock something pretty funky now and again, but right now I’m typing this in an LL Bean madras skirt and a v-neck tee ;-) I was in my “country club mom” mood today.
Jairs
September 1st, 2010
9:40 am
YUCK!!!
You are teaching your children a horrible lesson about hygiene. Certain items that touch certain places are personal and private. Its not so much that children will pass on diseases or medical issue like adults can, but its the precedent you’re setting that they will take through life. I don’t even agree with girls/women wearing each others bathing suits. It’s just YUCKY!
Becky
September 6th, 2010
9:57 pm
I have a twin brother and we shared everything! Including underwear when we were little. Even as a teenager I’ll wear my brothers clean, hand me down boxers, if they are in good shape!