I am just revisiting the benefits of Buy Nothing groups for baby stuff, in case others need a reminder that:
- there is nothing wrong with hand-me-downs
- saving money affords opportunity and space for your family
- tapping into community begets love
- owning less is more important than you think (in motherhood)
I first wrote about Buy Nothing even before the months leading up to Casey’s birth. Now that we are expecting number two, I think the topic of acquiring free baby stuff is worth a revisit. I would like to champion the notion that it isn’t entirely on our shoulders to provide. That alone is a hefty weight off of already-stressed parents. Your community is a great resource. Reaching out to neighbors and friends and asking to borrow (with or without promise of return) is a super-power. I have greatly enjoyed working part-time as a result of our frugality.
And for those who feel guilty, don’t. Every parent knows how quick parenthood goes. In the span of months, things that were necessary become useless. Many parents are struggling to manage their households and welcome a decluttering of sorts. I have used minimalism as a means to initiate calm in motherhood myself.
I have also met a lot of mothers in the neighborhood by using a Buy Nothing group. All of them have been so kind and helpful. And it gives back ten-fold when it is my turn to let go of things. Personally, it makes me feel at peace knowing that I can pass on my baby’s things to another mama.
So what of the hand-me-downs? In perfectly good condition. At least, in the sense that they serve their purpose and do the job. I never worry about messing up hand-me-downs, because it didn’t cost me money or energy. This gives me freedom to allow Casey to be as reckless as he needs to be. We have more time to focus on parenthood when we aren’t focused on consuming products. There are endless baby products out there, but being given something gets rid of decision fatigue too. To me, the benefits really outweigh the new-ness.
Let me know how you’ve accessed your community lately in order to live a simpler life.
