Childhood toy--can I ask for it back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible she took it because at the time you were both adults and she was the only one with kids of the right age to play with it?

Why didn't sis mentioned this to OP? "Hey, I found Ms. Floppy Ears at mom and dad's and thought my kids would love to play with it. I know she was your old favorite--would you mind if they had it or do you want it back?"

Probably because Floppy Ears was sitting around in a dusty old box for years and she figured op didn't give a damn or she would have taken it home herself. Why does everyone on this board assume the worst about everyone else--especially family?

I didn't care about stuff until I had kids. If my sister grabbed them first because she had kids first, well, that's not fair. But I also didn't know I would want things. So what to do?

Ask for them back, like an adult? I don't know why said sister would assume you want shit you haven't touched in years just in case you have kids down the line. I would be happy for my old toys to get some use by my nieces and nephews. In most households, the true owners (mom and dad) have long since gotten rid of everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible she took it because at the time you were both adults and she was the only one with kids of the right age to play with it?

Why didn't sis mentioned this to OP? "Hey, I found Ms. Floppy Ears at mom and dad's and thought my kids would love to play with it. I know she was your old favorite--would you mind if they had it or do you want it back?"

Probably because Floppy Ears was sitting around in a dusty old box for years and she figured op didn't give a damn or she would have taken it home herself. Why does everyone on this board assume the worst about everyone else--especially family?

+1 If you're using mom and dad's attic for long term storage, presumably it isn't THAT important to you. That said, OP can just ask. Unless what OP has left out of this is that she has a crappy dynamic with her sister.

My sister left plenty of old toys and dolls at my parents. My parents passed them on to me for my kids, as the only family member with kids. My sister knows and doesn't care (she doesn't intend to have kids) but if down the line she had kids and wanted them back, I would gladly hand them over. It seems dumb that perfectly good toys should stay hidden in a closet or something because someone else might one day want them and be too shy to say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible she took it because at the time you were both adults and she was the only one with kids of the right age to play with it?

Why didn't sis mentioned this to OP? "Hey, I found Ms. Floppy Ears at mom and dad's and thought my kids would love to play with it. I know she was your old favorite--would you mind if they had it or do you want it back?"

Probably because Floppy Ears was sitting around in a dusty old box for years and she figured op didn't give a damn or she would have taken it home herself. Why does everyone on this board assume the worst about everyone else--especially family?

You sound grabby, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible she took it because at the time you were both adults and she was the only one with kids of the right age to play with it?

Why didn't sis mentioned this to OP? "Hey, I found Ms. Floppy Ears at mom and dad's and thought my kids would love to play with it. I know she was your old favorite--would you mind if they had it or do you want it back?"

Probably because Floppy Ears was sitting around in a dusty old box for years and she figured op didn't give a damn or she would have taken it home herself. Why does everyone on this board assume the worst about everyone else--especially family?

You sound grabby, too.

And you (not OP, who was just asking advice) sound like a hoarder if you think that's an issue.

[Anonymous]

agree. i would just ask. Let us know how it goes OP and her response. Keen to lay to rest all the other comments here that are just speculation.

[Anonymous]

Sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why didn't you say anything when you noticed it? It's weird that you didn't mention it at all if it was your fav childhood toy.

This. Something tells me there is history with your sister and you know she won't be reasonable. If this happened with me I would have said "ohmy goodness, it's my old teddy bear! I thought this was long gone!". And started a conversation about it. Before leaving I would have asked if I could take it, since I was SO happy to see it again. My sister would have been completely happy to give it over. Of course we both live in small houses so getting rid of stuff is always a good thing .

[Anonymous]

I was surprised to see some childhood toys at my brother's home (over 1000 miles away).
We lost our father recently. Those things are sentimental, but it was his childhood too. I'm glad to see he's remembering it.


If you feel more connected to the item, for sure say something. "I can't believe you found this" is a nice way to say it. If you take something from her kid's pile, I'd replace it with a new something.

Drama aside, I was happy to see my sibling was connected to things that were part of our shared history. In my experience, some siblings are good at protecting their own interests in skillful way and assume other are, as well, when they are not. Since you mention you are 5 years younger, they probably assume you abandoned it.

Ask.

One item I couldn't get my hands on for a variety of reasons, including family politics, I found on ebay and was just as happy. It felt connected to the person who used it, (instrument) without having to deal with the drama of those who are still alive and using items as "carrots".

[Anonymous]

I tried the ebay solution for a treasured old doll that was also lost to the sands of time. It didn't feel the same. I'm glad the instrument replacement worked for you, pp.

[Anonymous]

I took my brother's Brio train from my parents' house for DD. It was with the understanding that someday when he had a child, it would go to them. He was totally ok with DD having it and playing with it. She had it from 2 - to this past xmas when he asked for it back for his DD (3). So my DD (now 6) helped me box it up and sent it off for my niece to have her father's train. My DD is the oldest of the grandkids and I have never taken any toys etc from my parents' house without clearing it with my brother or sister.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would first look on Ebay for a second.one (don't order it). Then ask her if you can have the old one, but offer to buy a replacement if her kids really love it.

If Ebay doesn't have it, ask her if there's anything you could exchange it for.

If her kids don't particularly like the toy, this is much less complicated, obviously.

We found a brand new, in box "Keys of Knowledge" toy on ebay when I saw one at my inlaws house.

You are a very creative and thoughtful person! I wish I had you as a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took my brother's Brio train from my parents' house for DD. It was with the understanding that someday when he had a child, it would go to them. He was totally ok with DD having it and playing with it. She had it from 2 - to this past xmas when he asked for it back for his DD (3). So my DD (now 6) helped me box it up and sent it off for my niece to have her father's train. My DD is the oldest of the grandkids and I have never taken any toys etc from my parents' house without clearing it with my brother or sister.

That sounds like a nice arrangement.