Am I being ungrateful

[Willow25]

I am pregnant for the first time and due in 5 and a half weeks living in Australia. My best friend had her first child last september. My bf had about five showers and was left with stacks of new clothes that she never used. She offered about 7 months ago to ship the clothes along with other items that she wanted to purchase for the baby. She also had a breast pump that she only used for one week and was not able to sell on Craig's list. I offered to purchase the pump from her. I sent her $400 US dollars to pay for the pump and to help out with shipping the remainder of items. Okay so now for the ungrateful part. It is likely that I will have to have a C-section two weeks early which is in 3.5 weeks. It takes a minimum of 10 days for packages to arrive from overseas. She has still not mailed the package!!! I don't feel like I can say much because she is giving us so much stuff but it is frustrating because we can not go out and buy all the things we will need in case they are coming in the package. Am I being ungrateful by feeling so impatient and frustrated?? Do I have the right to ask when she plans on shipping?? What should I do??

 

[KMZOB]

First off...Congratulations! I don't think you are being ungrateful...I think it is more the nervousness of your first baby and having everything you need...being prepared!
Have you explained to your friend that you may have the baby early? Maybe that will get her more motivated to get the package sent?! Or maybe just casually ask when she thinks she might get the chance to mail the package.

sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Wishes you lots of luck!!

 

[me again]

i've learned never to rely on other people for essential items, etc.

Could you perhaps buy the items you need, keep the receipts, and return them if she does ship them on time? At least that way you'll have something to get started with while waiting on your items. I know its hard to ask "where's my stuff?" but you did pay something for them ($400!) its not like its a charity box! Perhaps you could say the baby might come early, you're anxious to get your nursery set up, etc., see if she takes the hint--oh, you might also say you read that US postage has gone up recently, would she need more money for postage? That might get her in gear. Good luck with your baby!

 

[NU2WDW]

Does your friend know what the situation is re the possible C-section? If not, she might just be thinking she still has plenty of time. If it was me, I wouldn't be at all offended if you called and simply said something like "Hey, listen, they think the baby is going to be here any time now, would you mind getting those items in the mail right away? It takes a couple of weeks for things to ship and I'd really be glad to have that breast pump right from the start! You know how much I appreciate you doing this, right? By the way, is that $400 I sent you enough?" lmao: that last line is a bit of a diplomatic jab, i.e., hey you got my money now I want my stuff!! )

Good luck to you!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Does your friend know what the situation is re the possible C-section? If not, she might just be thinking she still has plenty of time. If it was me, I wouldn't be at all offended if you called and simply said something like "Hey, listen, they think the baby is going to be here any time now, would you mind getting those items in the mail right away? It takes a couple of weeks for things to ship and I'd really be glad to have that breast pump right from the start! You know how much I appreciate you doing this, right? By the way, is that $400 I sent you enough?" lmao: that last line is a bit of a diplomatic jab, i.e., hey you got my money now I want my stuff!! )

Good luck to you!

I have to agree with this response...your being nice and direct...and any normal person will get the hint. Plus, if this is your friend, she would want to make sure you get the stuff in time. Maybe she has just been bogged down with her own baby and hasn't had the opportunity to make her way to shipping the stuff, but I'm sure if you tell her that the baby may be having an early debut, she'll find a way to get them out.