Honey, the kids have grown!
14.9.2025
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Ann-Kathrin Schäfer
If you have kids, you’re probably familiar with those piles of outgrown clothes that seem to grow back right after you’ve found a new home for them. My advice? Take a breather, reminisce, cry – and then let go.
It was one of those rare occasions when I had a Saturday to myself. A perfect opportunity to finally clear out those bags of clothes my kids have outgrown. I’d been tripping over them in the hall for weeks.
And so I started inspecting the items one by one, unfolding each piece of clothing and sorting them by size and condition before making little piles of tiny T-shirts, trousers and jumpers.
How one of my kids loved wearing that one top on the beach at Lake Maggiore. And how cute did my other boy look toddling around the apartment, wearing the sweater with the dog on it? Oh, there were those jeans and suspenders their great-grandmother gave them and the jacket their uncle brought back from America. Aw, remember how they picked the first blueberries of the season and couldn’t stop eating them in those red and blue striped shirts? I got all teary-eyed. My gosh, it seems like only yesterday that my boys were still so tiny.
Clothes that no longer fit equals more freedom
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy every little step my little ones are taking towards becoming more independent. It’s a joy to watch them grow, thrive and discover the world. I’m also enjoying the increasing pockets of freedom inching their way into my daily routine. These days, I can usually shower again without interruption, read for a bit, do some yoga or even go horse riding from time to time. Not to mention the nights that have become much more relaxed.
And still I found myself sitting on the floor between the small piles of clothes, tears running down my face and turning into fully blown sobbing over all the condensed memories. The pyjamas reminded me of the way they’d fall blissfully asleep on my shoulder. The soft trousers made me think of them running towards me, laughing as they take their first steps. It struck me that those baby and toddler years would be over eventually and never come back. That the children would continue to get older. In that moment, the house felt really quiet without them.
I sent my sister a photo of the piles of clothes and asked if I could save them for her baby. It would be so much easier to let go of these clothes in the knowledge that they’d soon be worn by another child I love. I sent my mother a message to tell her that I finally understood why she was so sentimental about us growing up. My sister replied, telling me she’d be happy to take the clothes I’ve cleared out. That’s great to hear.
Until then, it’s off to the vacuum storage bag with those cute little children’s clothes. I wiped away my tears and felt decluttered – both on the outside and the inside. I was glad that those bags had gone. But I also felt less messy on the inside. I resolved to spend a lot more time reminiscing and crying uncontrollably. Then the doorbell rang, followed by a loud and lively, «Hey mum, we’re back!»
What to do with outgrown kids’ clothes
- Friends and relatives with small children are always happy to receive clean clothes in good condition. Believe me, I’ve been on the receiving end.
- If you want to save the clothes for nephews, nieces or friends, storing them in vacuum storage bags is an easy solution. They’re space saving and protect the garments from dirt and moisture.
- Other grateful recipients are Caritas and other second-hand stores or shelters for refugees.
- Clothes that have been heavily worn are great for upcycling projects, or can be put in the used clothing collection instead of the bin.
What do you do with the piles of clothes your kids have outgrown?
Header image: Ann-Kathrin Schäfer
Ann-Kathrin Schäfer
Editor freelance
simon.balissat@digitecgalaxus.chI'm really a journalist, but in recent years I've also been working more and more as a pound cake baker, family dog trainer and expert on diggers. My heart melts when I see my children laugh with tears of joy as they fall asleep blissfully next to each other in the evening. They give me inspiration to write every day - they've also shown me the difference between a wheel loader, an asphalt paver and a bulldozer.
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