She wanted to know if it was “mean” to do so.
A mum sparked a huge online debate for saying that she wants to dress her son up in “girl’s clothes” to save money.
The mum-of-two explained that while she had been dressing her 4-month-old son in white babygroes so far, it was looking like he would need new clothes soon.
So, as “finances are pretty tight at the moment”, she turned to Mumsnet for advice as to if it would be “mean” to dress her son in her daughter’s baby clothes.
She wrote:
“I’m a stay at home mum to a son who is 4 months old.
“He was unplanned but a very wanted addition to the family. We also have an older daughter who is 3.
“Finances are pretty tight at the moment. So far, I’ve been dressing him in white babygroes, but it’s looking like he’ll need new clothes soon.
“I have all of my daughter’s clothes from when she was a baby and I was wondering if it would be mean to put my son in them?
“They are perfectly good clothes (no dresses as I find them impractical on small children, but loads of flowery tops and some trousers.”
The anonymous mum got a pretty mixed reaction from users of the parenting forum.
Some felt that it was mean to the little boy to even consider the idea, insisting that new clothing could be purchased at a reduced price through a number of different ways.
One person said:
“I wouldn’t dress a boy in girls clothes. Baby clothes so can be found very cheaply on gumtree, eBay, Facebook and charity shops. He doesn’t need a full new wardrobe just a few outfits and a washing machine.”
Someone else wrote:
“I probably wouldn’t put him in anything too girly. What about when he looks back on baby photos and says why am I dressed in that pink frilly dress.”
Meanwhile, others assured the mum that handing down clothes between siblings is perfect normal – and nothing to be worried about.
Another parent commented:
“Of course it’s not mean! He has no idea or interest in what he wears, as long as it’s comfy. And it’s not like his peers will bully him! You sound sensible – save your money for more important things.”
Another person assured her:
“What could be mean about it? Your baby won’t give a fig so long as he is warm enough and comfortable. Sounds sensible to me.”
