We're big fans of hand-me-downs around here, not to mention consignment shops. But while I'm happy to put my kid in something another kid has worn (and loved), I'm not such a fan of some of the t-shirts we've gotten. I hate to sound ungrateful, but there's something deeply disturbing to me about some of the messages we send with these t-shirts.
Hey, I'm all for funny tees, and I'm not worried about people making my kid a target because of my sense of humor (or social justice) -- not with helicoptery me hanging around. It's the tees that aren't funny that bug me. I hate to be a killjoy, but I fail to see the humor in ....
Calling my daughter a "dizzy chick." Yeah, I get that it's ironic and self-referential and perhaps stands in opposition to traditional gender stereotypes by mocking them, but you know what? Too soon. And this was a heartbreaker, because it was a VERY cute little dress with a hood that I really, really wanted from a consignment shop! But I didn't buy it!
Making my daughter a self-centered brat. I guess there's something empowering about telling a girl to put herself first, sure. But there's something so off-putting about the whole "Baby Diva" thing! No, kiddo, it's not all about you, nor is it all about me, or your dad, or your baby sister, or anyone else.
Emasculating dad via a t-shirt. Faithful readers already know how much I hate Everybody Loves Raymond and other shows of that ilk for treating dads like oafish idiots. I hate it because it's not true, but if a guy is lazy or a wife is bitchy, the media representation gives them free reign to go on with their awful selves. This whole "second in command (after mommy that is!)" is (a) not true, (b) stupid, (c) really pathetic if that's the only place we women are first in command, so let's just drop the whole stinkin' issue.
Needing to declare that someone loves daddy. What the ... really? Are we that insecure that we need dozens of kids' t-shirts declaring their love for us? I just find these to be silly, fussy, and trying too hard.
Calling my kid an angel. This is me being super-superstitious, but I was about to click "buy" on some really handy cotton zip-up jammies for Abby when I noticed they said "Angel" on them. And (again, this is me, and this is how paranoid I am) I freaked out because angels are dead people, and I am terrified of SIDS, and I couldn't zip her into them without being terrified. I know. I KNOW.
For the record, there are funny, cute baby clothes I love! For instance, I am a huge fan of bad puns (like these "I Whaley Love You" jammies at Target) and clothes that direct me to do things I want to do anyway, like Abby's "I Love Hugs" pajamas. (When I put them on her, I say, "It says here that you love hugs. Is that true?" And then I test the theory. Dork!)
All I'm saying is: sometimes I look twice at what I'm putting on my kid and go ... what am I putting on my kid?
What baby t-shirt makes you go "eeeyuw"?
Images via Amy K, Gap Kids, Old Navy, Carters, Gerber Children's Wear, Target
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Comments 146
"All mommy wanted was a back rub"
I have a fav my son used to wear well two, onw was, my baby can kick ur babys ass and the other was only cry when ugly people hold me:) LOL i think they are funny and to get so bent outta shap means you have no life , just dont buy them idiot!
I'm not offended by any of these... I don't see what the big deal is! I agree - there are far worse ones out there than these!
It's kind of nice to see someone else is as strange as me! :D We don't let our daughter wear Princess/I'm a Princess things for the same reason. She is NOT a princess/diva/spoiled brat. We wouldn't want her walking around with an attitude of entightlement or of a spoiled brat - why wear a shirt that says just that?
My son was given a shirt that said, "Give me a cookie, and no one gets hurt." Yeah, it was cute/funny, but there is NO way we would allow that kind of behavior in our son, so why say it on the shirt?
I know. I'm crazy. But that's how my husband and I feel. So like you, we pay attention to the words on the outfits. Glad to know there are at least three of us crazies in this world. :)
Maybe it's just me, but I could do without the "If Mom says no...Ask Grandma!" and "Going to Grandma's House" shirts. Ditto for the "I Love Mommy" shirts. I get it. Baby loves mommy and grandma and daddy, but why on a shirt or onesie? Then again, my hormones have made me replused by anything that smacks of sentimentality. I cannot stand walking into Hallmark and picking out a card right now...all the sappy sayings just annoy me.