Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell her what you told us, that he expressed that he prefers his balance bike but doesn't want to hurt her feelings, so could she provide a gift receipt which you could use to exchange it for something else.

This. Be honest and let her know it's awkward but you feel guilty that she was so excited about the gift and it isn't something DS would really enjoy as much as you'd hoped. DONT say that DS mentioned selling. Don't even mention selling it yourself. Maybe ask if she still has the recipt or ask where she got it to see if it could be exchanged.

Being honest in this situation is totally fine. The bonus is that it might make her more likely to check with you ahead of purchases from now on.

This. Grandma here.

This is what I'd do with my mom - I'm glad a grandma agrees

I sell almost all toys my kids get as gifts, since we just don't have the space and they have a lot of toys as it is. Just dropped a bunch of Christmas gifts I sold on Ebay at the post office this morning. Feels very good to get them out of the house.

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth can't you just have a conversation with Grandma?

-A grandma

Not OP, but dealing with a similar issue with my xILs. They send massive, expensive gifts 2-3x/year that are age-inappropriate for DS, duplicates/upgrades of toys he already has, or things he just isn't interested in at all. I've made suggestions, reminded them that we live in a very small apartment with no outdoor space, they've seen his room and how much he already has, and I keep a running list on Amazon of toys he's requested that they can reference at any time. But instead of buying the $20 plane that DS wants and would fit in his room, they buy the $150 elaborate airport set that he can't put together himself, he plays with once and has to be stored somewhere. I wish they'd save the $130 and use it to visit him instead. I've even flat out said that to them, doesn't make a difference.

Luckily the xILs only see DS once or twice a year, so I don't have to worry about them 'checking on' whether the toys are being played with. I keep things out for a month, then put away what hasn't been played with. If the toys are stored for more than 2mo, they go on Craigslist. We simply don't have the room and DS doesn't want them.

We got a massive (sized) toy for 4 yo DS's bday from the ILs (shipped, so it came with a gift receipt) that just didn't fit in our small apt. We told DS that it was a very nice gift, but showed him that it wouldn't fit where he stores his toys. He was initially sad but we explained he could go to the store and pick out another toy that would fit in his toy area. Went to toys r us where he happily picked out something new.

Of course DH told his parents relatively nicely what happened, then had them video chat with DS who was happily playing with his new toy. He thanked the grandparents for it. Not sure how offended/upset they were, but the upside is that they now ask if they are considering a large gift, or direct DS to smaller sized toys when they are in the toy store together. So, glad we stood up for our family's needs.

Regarding the plasma car specifically, FWIW,, we do have one and it is a favorite of DS (going on 3 years now), his friends, and now his younger sibling.

1124++ why can't you just ask Gma if it can be exchanged for something else

How odd your DS is able to articulate that, due to his previous preschool experience with the toy, he would prefer you sell it and get something else.

Unbelievable, really.

So you don't want the toy. Yes, it is rude to sell it. No, that shouldn't prevent you from doing what you already decided to do. The only remaining mystery is why you would start a thread on this non problem.

ifa friend comes over and plays with the toy, your kid will most likely suddenly love it. I wouldn't be too hasty. but ultimately, it's yours (your son's) top do with as he wishes.

Why on earth can't you just have a conversation with Grandma?

-A grandma

Also, regarding telling grandma that "it broke"....If OP lied and said that to grandma, then OP would deserve the result of grandma then going out and buying another identical toy to replace the one that "broke." Because grandma might just feel bad that her gift broke and would try to replace it.

I guess that the person advocating "it broke" would then say: Hooray! Another toy to sell off! You can really profit off grandma!

OP, please don't do this dumb and deceptive "It broke" idiocy.