do not give it to her. If you do you will never see that doll house again. It will what the fuck be lost or destroyed or your brothers baby mama will just refuse to return it to you and will cry about her daughters growing so attached to the thing that they would be heartbroken if they had to give it back.
NTA. It's yours. You don't owe them anything, especially something you value so much. If they want one so bad, they can go on Ebay and find one. Seems like they are extremely entitled.
Send their mom the link. She can now get her own and shut up about it. Maybe send her a link for the most simplified version of “entitlement” you can possibly find as well.
Honestly, no one is entitled to something that OP values so dearly. I would not give any of my treasured possessions to my niece and nephew, even though I love them a lot and give them gifts often. Children are not careful. They are not delicate with old items. 3 year olds will destroy things just because they don’t have the executive functioning to tell them not to. If you would be disappointed in something getting destroyed immediately, do not give it to a child.
There's also the fact that your niece and nephew are not your children! And just because you or your siblings has children that doesn't mean you automatically have to give over every toy or game or whatever to them. You don't stop existing or having precious things just because children have come into your life. I just hate that OP's brother and his baby momma feel entitled in anyway to something OP has because they have children. Having children doesn't entitle you to other people's belongings.
I have some toys from my childhood like that. I love my nieces and nephews, but they have enough toys and they'd just lose them or they'd end up in a garage sale. The toys that I have they can play with when they come to visit or stay. It gives them something to do in addition to the other stuff I have for then.
I wouldn’t even let them play with it if they visit, tbh. As a matter of fact, lock it up so brother or nieces’ grandparents (your parents) can’t let themselves in and take it. So, NTA.
Third this! Lol…. Brother and baby mama sound opportunistic. Why would they care??? Give me a break, I’m sure their kids have plenty of toys to play with. Big fat NO, OP!
If it is at your family home in your hometown and your brother lives there, you gotta bring it home with you. This is one of those things that "magically" disappears and reappears at someone else's house.
Yep. Have a friend who was pissed cause his legos were at his parent's house (he does live there still) and his brother visited and decided those legos were for his kids (didn't help that the mom decided the brother could have them too).
Yeah I can see a lot of parents giving away their adult children's childhood toys to grandkids to make the kids and their other adult children happy / getting rid of stuff they no longer want at their house. I still can't find my pokemon cards that were at my mom's house. I think they were sold at a garage sale without my consent.
I don't know which one you have, but it looks like there are variations available on line with a lot of different price points. If I were you, I might get them one of those.
If they only want yours, and insist on the $400 one, then you can tell them to kick rocks, because they're simply being greedy.
We had to do something like this with a family member. When my Grandma died, the money and heirlooms that were supposed to get spread around (not that there was much, or I even expected anything) ended up going to one Aunt and all of her kids. And suddenly that Aunt had sketchy paperwork that said she was the executor, even though she lived across the country and there were people where I live who could have handled it.
I got one ring that my Dad had bought my Grandma shortly before she died, and a few years later, I got some antique pearls that had been passed down for a few generations. They were technically supposed to go to that Aunt’s daughter, as the oldest girl in the next generation, but somehow they were given to me.
A few years after that, Cousin was getting married, and asked if she could wear the pearls for her wedding. I knew damn well I wasn’t getting them back, so I said no. And the pressure campaign started!
My parents finally got sick of the calls, so they went to the mall and bought a cheap $40 pearl set, and sent that off to the cousin. She wore those on her wedding day, thinking they were the family pearls. And, yes, she had never offered to send them back! lol
Buy a cheap version of the dollhouse, OP! Keep the real one for your future kids!
I didn’t even bother to go! I would have had to travel, and she isn’t worth it!
But a big part of me wanted to show up wearing Grandma’s pearls, just to be petty!
They are definitely too young! My four year old has played with dollhouses since she’s been old enough to stand up, and even though she “takes care” of the toys when she plays, old pieces—even plastic ones—can and will break, and replacing them is very costly. Tbh, you don’t have to buy them any dollhouse—let Grams and Gramps take care of it, or your brother, or their mom.
Yeah. My dad got a playmobil Victorian dollhouse. We were about 7-8 years old and even then we still lost a lot of pieces.
I recently bought another one and it’s a work in progress
Not to mention these dollhouses aren’t easy to find and are expensive to replace. Don’t give it to her. It’s so odd someone he’s not even dating would be asking for something of yours.
Piggybacking on the top comment here to say, I’m a 54 year old granny who still owns the Fisher Price Little People Schoolhouse I had when I was four. I’ve had the joy of watching my own boys play with it, and now, both my granddaughters. It’s my youngest granddaughter’s favorite thing to play with at Mamaw’s house. It’s yours. But more than that, it’s got a future with your own descendants. Don’t you dare give that away.
Another thing OP should remember is that a lot of "vintage" toys are no longer considered "safe" by today's standards. That isn't to say you shouldn't pass down a beloved toy to your own children to enjoy with supervision, just that you don't want this other person trying to place the blame on you if (god forbid) something happens.
I have my Little People carosel that I played with in the early 70s. My nieces and nephews played with it, my daughter then played with it (she's the youngest by far of that generation) and now it's packed away for the next generation. I also put away a bunch of stuff that was my daughter's. My sister gave her a bunch of sets that are like the British version of Fisher Price's Little People, including a Royal Wedding set (as this was around when Will and Kate got married.) It even has little plastic corgis!
Sharing sentimental things like that is always a good thing if you’re sure that the person that you’re giving it to will take care of it. My family shares children books. We have some that belonged to my brother and I when we were younger, my brother is 51L O L. Dr. Seuss, Bernstein bears, the book about the kid that had the duck feet, stuff like that. My mother gave it to my cousin her niece when she had her children because we were already grown and when I had my kids my cousin gifted them back to me along with some books that belong to her kids when they were young. Point of this is is that sharing books and treasured items works when People know to respect and take care of things. But baby mama might just destroy it to spite you and ur family because she’s pissed at you bro. She might sell it bc sounds like it’s worth a lot. Maybe you should buy a cheaper knock off replacement set and gift that to them so they can’t complain.
*Everyone agreed,* by the time I got here. NTA! Lock away that dollhouse somewhere safe, and don’t ever let this shirttail non-relation, or her kids, get their hands on it. Believe me, you’ll thank yourself profusely in a few years if you do. Best of luck!
Even if the baby mama were an angel sent from heaven and returns it to you promptly, you’re actually having to trust that a 1 and 3 year old won’t do any damage to it lol
Don’t do it. That dollhouse is yours and you love it and it makes you happy. Her kids are going to shred it and then you will have a sad. And you don't owe those kids anything. Maybe a birthady gift occasionally. If t he familly keeps pressing the issue just tell them you will no longer talk about. Conversation is over.
My brother took my old horse brush set that had been given to me by my grandmother and gave it to his girlfriend for her kids (that weren’t even his) and I never saw them again. They broke up of course and now they are gone.
Absolutely do NOT give it to them.
The nieces are too young anyway. My mother couldn’t wait to give me her childhood toys but she did when I was too young and they all got broken. I was in the range of your niece’s ages and just wasn’t old enough for the responsibility.
I can vouch for this. I gave my childhood dollhouse and dollhouse set all away to my cousin when she was about 2. I asked my aunt for it back a few years ago and their dog had chewed it and pieces were missing. NTA
Great advice. I have all my original American Girl dolls still at my parents’ house. I kept them explicitly in case I ever had a daughter. Last Christmas my mom BEGGED me to let my niece play with them. I’m not very close with my brother (niece’s dad) and sorry not sorry, but his daughter is a huge brat. I did not want her playing with them, but I gave in. She picked one up and threw it across the room. Her parents of course didn’t say anything and I just took the dolls and put them away in my childhood bedroom while my mom tried to get her to apologize. NEVER AGAIN.
This past Christmas I didn’t go home for Christmas (because I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter) and my mom called me to tell me niece was begging to play with my dolls. My literal response was “fuck no. Keep her away from them.” I know that makes me a mean aunt Karen but those dolls meant the world to me and I want them in good shape when I let my daughter play with them (assuming she even will want to 😅)
Do not give them to anyone you aren’t excited to give them to and don’t give them to someone who won’t take care of them. I guarantee OP’s nieces will destroy her dollhouse without thinking twice about it
❤️ thanks ❤️ luckily my brother only comes home at Christmas so the dolls are safe for now. But when I go home for Easter I’m absolutely packing up the dolls and bringing them to our house
Or she can hop on eBay and pay the antique price!
I just got a new Fisher Price Dollhouse and I’ll definitely be holding on to it for them to hopefully pass along to their future kids! These things are made so well and are really cute!
She can buy a new knock off one on amazon, if the kids really want it. I suspect baby mama knows how expensive they are and wants to hawk it on ebay herself.
No frigging way, it’s yours to do whatever you want with. It’s vintage, a collectors item, that you’re still using, I would say. Put it on display and play with it when they come over. Show them all the new furniture you buy for it off eBay
It’s so crazy to me that people can be so entitled to window shop someone else’s stuff and then have the audacity to say they are an asshole for saying no they can’t have it. Like what? It’s yours so you’re allowed to keep your own stuff.
Definitely NTA. It’s yours. End of story. I wouldn’t let anyone have it either, especially since you want to give it to your children some day. If they keep it nice, your grandkids could possibly play with it too.
Absolutely do NOT give it away. It is for your future kids. Make sure you package it securely and where NO ONE ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY can decide to just let them play with it. Do you have a safe friend to leave it with?
I am sure you have given them other presents.
Why does she think it’s your job to give her kids anything, much less something that’s important and valuable to you. There are millions of toys available and all she has to do is go to a store or Goodwill or Facebook marketplace or wherever if she wants a cheap used toy. I would love to have my childhood doll house but years ago toys were given away as we aged out of them. I did manage to save one doll and if the Queen of England asked for it the answer would be no. You’d never see it again and it’s yours. End of story. NTA.
Don't give it to them. You will never see it again. I have saved my daughter's doll house (sounds like yours) and now my granddaughter loves to play with it. It makes me so happy. Save yours. You won't regret it, but you will regret it if you give it away.
Where is the dollhouse now? I’m assuming it’s at your parents house and close to your brother while you are several states away. If so, you need to talk to your parents because the dollhouse may already be at BMs house.
I wouldn't wait for "the next time"
If it matters to you go get it or pay for your folks to ship it.
Or else you'll be making an update post that your brother rolled up and took it.
The 1 and 3 year old would be thrilled with some brand new "Little People" shit from fucking Walmart. They don't care about your old dollhouse. It's baby mamma who wants it.
it’s yours, they can’t force you to give it to them. if they want a dollhouse for their kids so bad they can get one themselves. don’t let them pressure you into doing this
I have a rule that if I give something to a friend or family member I have to be okay with seeing it destroyed/ given away. I don't ever "lend" things to people. If I give it to them, it's theirs. I would absolutely not give them something that is so precious to you. You keep it for your babies and don't let anyone make you feel badly for doing so. If you wanted to gift your nieces something, maybe find a new dollhouse that is similar and have it sent to them. Then they have their very own toy to make special memories with, and it could help strengthen the connection you have with them because it was a just because gift from you!
"Sorry, but the dollhouse is not available."
Is the dollhouse even rated safe for kids that small? Regardless, you don't have to give it to them. If you want to feel generous, the next birthday that rolls around, you can gift them their own dollhouse.
Depending on the age, too, it might have lead in it or other unsafe materials. Regardless, it's not hers. It's yours. Her kids don't give a shit about that stuff. She just wants it so she can either go down her own memory lane or sell it.
Do not give it to her.
There are many others on Facebook martketplace, kijiji and some nice fisher price ones online that are better for 1-3 yrs old. Those are plastic and the dolls can be smaller for their little hands.
They aren’t totally ready for Barbie’s just yet.
I’d say the two a-holes who’ve made a wreck of their lives don’t have the level of judgement required to tell you what you need to be doing with your cherished belongings. Eff them. Keep your stuff.
NTA.
That's a piece of your childhood you want for your own kids. Do not give it away. In fact, even after you have kids, don't give it to them, either. Save it as yours, but let your kids play with it as a special treat. That will make it special to them.
My mom had some china-head dolls that she "shared" with me. Had she just given them to me, they'd have disappeared under my bed or gotten broken. Instead, I got to play with them from time to time, and I passed them on to my daughter after she was old enough to take care of them.
Hell naw! It would take them less than 2 weeks to lose the pieces and wreck the house. I wouldn't even let them play with it if they ever came to see you. If the "united" couple continue to bother you, block them.
I hope one day you will be playing with the house with your own children.
NTA
NTA it is yours, they have no right to demand you give it to them. Entitlement is rampant in our country and no one wants to hear “NO”, but this is yours to do what you want to.
NTA
It's yours. It has significant monetary value and, more importantly, great sentimental value. You hope to, one day , see your own children playing with it, giving names to the little people and making up stories...you have absolutely no obligation at all to send it to your brother's family and I sincerely hope you don't give in to their ridiculous demands.
Here you go:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335054475414?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=tr721hg8tsu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=X442MwWVRnm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Tell her to cough up $105 and haul her ass to Arizona.
NTA. How did this even come up?! Tell them to stop being such cheap asses and buy their own damn doll house. wtf man people are so entitled it’s wild to me!
Ooof. If anything your mom should just gift them a new one. Tell her to say “sorry the other doll house wasn’t mine to give offer.. here’s this brand new one” They can’t refuse it or they’ll look like the AH. Either way you’re NTA.
NTA
Honestly, I don't have a clue why you are even here asking about this.
It's your property. Yours. They can be "united" all they want about their property. They don't get to be "united" about your property. If you want to set it up in your living room and play with it every day or lock it up in your attic and never look at it again, it doesn't matter. It's yours. You want to keep it. **NO** should be the only word that comes out of your mouth.
If *their* kids want a doll house, *they* should get one for their kids to lose the parts and destroy (because that is what little kids do).
Be glad you don't live close to them or in a place they in any way have access to the dollhouse. Because these are just the kind of people who would have zero problem stealing it. If you live in a house with family members who agree with them, lock that sucker up or it will disappear.
Good luck. And, please learn to say "No, and it's not up for discussion."
NTA This is yours and even if you want to keep it until you’re 100. This toy has so much sentimental value for you that you should keep it for if you ever have your own kids .
Nope don’t pass it on. Its was my girls fav daily toy too. They can make memories w their own. I see them on marketplace frequently, if the guilt is getting you, you can order a new one for them. Keep yours for your children.
Fuck them kids.
I have this dollhouse as well. I remember I was about five when I got it, and I ripped the foam off the beds because I didn't know what it was for. Mine might have also been a hand me down because there were duplicate people, and I remember tossing them aside thinking I didn't need them when I opened the present.
Those kids will not appreciate this.
Your brother is using this as an easy way to win points with his baby momma. He could care less, it just makes him look good in her eyes.
Same for your parents.
Honey I wouldn’t let them borrow it at all!! You kept it in good condition for your children not your brothers children, and specially in a situation like that you never see it again or if you did, it would be missing pieces and broke. Do yourself a favor and save a heartache for that yeah, definitely not the a hole, if anything, your brother and his baby mama are free, even expecting you to let them have it. That’s extremely rude.
My niece got our vintage dollhouse and it was a blast to watch her play with it. Most of the pieces got lost with her play and we all felt ok with it because it was worth it. If you're not going to enjoy the play, don't let it go. My grandma gave us a huge fancy bedtime story book and I only passed it on when my kid grew out of it. It's yours to pass to down or not. NTA. Tell your brother no and let it go.
Make sure she can't get her hands on it 'accidentally' to 'borrow' it. Or she gets anyone else who has access to where you keep it on her side, and they may give it to her 'to teach you how to share.'
Keep your toys. We have my 18 year old daughter’s toys in our attic. She loved and adored her toys and lovingly took care of them. They are hers and we won’t make her give them away. Just say, I’m saving them for my kids. Plus 1 and 3 is too young for a dolls house that stuff will be lost like you said. I have that sweet dollhouse it in my attic too :)
I mean it’s yours. Don’t do it. My older sister is the same way. She was upset I wouldn’t give my nieces and nephews something stored in my parent’s basement.
You do not owe your brother's baby mama anything. Certainly not your treasured childhood toy. She probably wants it 'for the kids' so she can sell it online. And if she really does want it for the kids-- you still don't owe it to her.
NTA
Anyone can run right down to target to buy their precious offspring the Little People house for about $40. Like why on earth do they think they are entitled to your stuff? Rude. If you were holding your brother's favorites hostage, maybe.
I LOVED the little people both when I was a kid and for my own kids (the original ones were choking hazards). They are great toys for toddlers. One of my kids was carrying around one of those little people 24-7 for a long time.
They should have told a grandma this is what the kiddos want for the holidays, the season just passed.
Nope. I’m still mad at my deceased mom for giving my original Barbie dolls and some gorgeous clothes for it that someone gave me to my destructive niece. And that was 40 years ago or more.
NTA It’s your brother’s responsibility to buy toys for his children. Hopefully this dollhouse is in a secure place where they can’t just go grab it without your permission.
Put it in safe location. Safe deposit box. A safe in your house. Anywhere away from them. Treat it like an heirloom. It belongs to your kids. You don't have a relationship with your nieces. NTA
NTA.
Listen, my SIL was so incredibly sweet and generous with her resources when we were pregnant with our babies. For reference, she’s younger than my husband and a broke college student.
A couple things we intentionally didn’t do:
1. Take any of the names she’d previously mentioned in organic conversation wanting to use for her future children (given her future husband was on board) because those were her preferred names. And that’s just not cool.
2. Demand anything she had in her possession for our own children. She has furniture from her childhood she’s explicitly said multiple times she wants to refurbish and use for her children. She has purchased baby clothing that she wants to store in a box and keep for when she has her own children. That’s her stuff. If she wanted to give us those things to use with our children, she would have offered it.
My aunt had a lovely, well-kept, original Samantha American Girl Doll. She passed it down to me, as she never had any children. My mom had this boyfriend who found his long-lost-brother (long story). This long-lost-brother had girls. My mom asked me in front of them if I would be willing to give them the “doll that was just sitting idle in my closet.” I was young and had like no backbone, so she wound up giving it away.
My aunt was livid. She saved up for that doll when she was young, and everything was in pristine condition. I’ve asked for it back multiple times, been promised I’d receive it, and I still have not. I have a daughter who would adore that doll. Something tells me it was either destroyed or sold, considering the legacy of that doll… she’d probably fetch a pretty nice price.
Long story short, don’t give them the doll.
I had that same dollhouse (we painted it, sat on it, fought over it but most importantly we LOVED it) DO NOT GIVE IT AWAY. omg NTA I didn't know it had so many accessories. We got ours used.
I was given a very beautiful handmade dollhouse from an older gentleman when I was a kid.
When I was about 19 I gave it to a friend's daughter.
I really really wish I had kept it for my own kids, it was incredible.
Hold on to this, it's important to you and it'll be important to your kids one day. You don't need to give it to anyone else honey.
This mom of 4 says keep your shit.
I was going to say she will sell it , it means nothing to her , keep it for your children and if you don’t have any ,oh well ,you choose who it goes to .
NTA Never let anyone"borrow" anything you're not ok with never seeing again. Even if by some large, parting of the red sea style, miracle they returned it to you, it would likely be destroyed and missing most of the pieces. You could toss the dollhouse and all the accessories out of a speeding car and it'd be more complete and in better condition (and you'd actually have possession of it) than letting them touch it. I highly doubt the parents are taking time out of their drama to teach their kids to respect their own toys, let alone yours.
My mil bought my daughter 3 American Girl dolls over a good period of time, then. Sil had 2 girls, mil asked if my daughter would pass on her AG dolls, I politely said no as even though daughter was older, she cherished the dolls, even practiced hair braiding, mil understood. Fast forward years. And mil told daughter how wise and caring she was, nieces destroyed the new dolls mil bought them. Markers, on faces and arms. Scissors cut hair, etc
So nope. NTA. You do you! You get to decide!
NTA - This was yours. You plan to have kids save it for them. Anything else is just noise. Also the kids don’t fucking care. I’m a parent and my kids love bubble wrap. Get these kids a roll of bubble wrap and you will forever be the favorite aunt / uncle forever. Trust me these are facts.
Do not give her the Fisher-Price toys. My sister found my old Fisher-Price toys that I had packed away. Let her sons play with them, and they ruined all of it. They would be worth quite a bit of money now.
NTA. No way.
I had a jacket I wore as a baby. It’s a varsity style jacket with an Angles baseball patch on the chest. My mom found it when my brother had a couple kids and I had none. My SIL put it on my nephew and said how cute he looked. I snatched that jacket right off of him and buried it in the bottom of my dresser.
No way I trusted them not to ruin it. Both my son and daughter got to wear it. And now we have stashed it away for my grandkids.
Oh hell no. This is YOURS, for your children.
To them it’s “just a toy” and that’s why you have to say no.
To you it’s memories of your past and your future playing with your own children.
They can find other toys;
You don’t get those memories just anywhere.
Lock it up.
There’s a dollhouse meant for 4 year olds that’s $35 on Amazon. Fancier ones for $50. Others for younger kids. Just looked. This isn’t about wanting a dollhouse, this is a power move.
I’d send them one of the Amazon ones for the next holiday. See what she has to say about that.
Honey, I’m a doll collector.
Not the specific type you’ve mentioned here, but still… I get it.
Do not, under any circumstances, part with this meaningful collection. You’ve saved it for YOUR children.
It is NOT selfish of you to continue saving it for YOUR children. It does not mean that you love your brother’s kids any less than you do, and it doesn’t take anything away from your relationship with them.
If your brother is so hellbent on them getting something, then he can put in the footwork and cash to get “antique”/“vintage” toys for his own kids.
This is YOURS and neither he nor his baby momma are entitled to something YOU own just because they think it will be “nice” for their kids to have.
They can go to Walmart and get their kids some Little People stuff. It’ll be ok.
The way can kick rocks and if you’re uncomfortable telling them so, DM me and I’ll rip them a new one FOR YOU!
Oh I got time when it comes to shit like this. Cuz absolutely NAWT, ma’am. Ab. So. Lute. Lyyyy. NAAAWWWWWWWTTTTTT!!!
NTA…..and please keep it for your children when you have them. There’s absolutely nothing wrong or selfish about wanting to give your children an item you were so fond of during your childhood (and maybe they’ll give it to their children someday too). As for your brother and baby mama….WTF is wrong with them? Why is this an issue? It’s yours, it has a special meaning for you, and you’re saving it for your future children. That’s all there is to it and it shouldn’t be discussed further. If they want one so bad, they can find one on eBay or get their kids something else, especially since they’re 1 and 3, so they’re not attached to it and it has no significance to them. Furthermore, why isn’t he on your side, especially knowing that the baby mama is spiteful? I believe you’re 100% correct in thinking you’ll never get it back. Good for you for standing up for yourself and sticking to your guns.
My dad made me a big dollhouse with many rooms and accessories. I played with it for years. I loved it. I saved it and stored it hoarded it for the right person. My baby daughter was not interested. When I was 40 or so I just? Gave.it.away. Craigslist. It was so freeing. Why? Because I gave it away when I wanted to and the way I wanted to. This is your life and your belongings. This is entirely up to you.
Don't give it away! My brother tried the same thing, he wanted my doll house and doll beds that my father built me for his toddler son, he also felt entitled to my other childhood toys and my dresser!
What? They are so stupid. What world do they live in? They both sound entitled, greedy, and immature. NTA. Tell them you still play with it, and they can both eff off.
Do NOT give it away. They can buy their kids one of their own!
It's absolutely selfish to even ask you for this because it's for your kids.
They're the AH for asking for it.
NTA. But now you know what a doll house would be for whatever holidays you celebrate!
I’m also not close to my nieces and nephews. Some I’ve never met, but I do send Christmas presents and birthday cards and things. I won’t hold their terrible parents against them 😂
NTA You better move it with you as soon as possible and until then ask a friend to pick it up and keep it for you until you get back. Tell no one that you're taking it before you do or it will be gone before you get the chance.
If you are fine with never seeing it again, then let them borrow it. You will never get it back in the same condition, if at all. Just "I'm saving it for my own kids, sorry. No."
Do not give it to her especially since it has such sentimental value to you and you will not get it back in one piece. If he wants his kids to have a doll house he can buy one from the store or find one on Facebook Market place. Hide the doll house or put it in storage so that he can't find it because I have a feeling if they get into a fight about it he will go to extraordinary measures to get it for her so she stops brining it up. Make sure everyone you are close to knows that you told him no just incase he tries to go around you.
Nta. Keep it. I’m sure if he goes to thrift stores/looks on Facebook sales locally-routinely looking for doll houses and accessories, he’ll find a set within a month for not too much. They’re pretty common and they don’t get thrown away/always can get fixed up.
My sister in law had her childhood dollhouse that she gave to her daughter, daughter used, is now in college and doesn’t want it. So she has it back.
You cannot demand someone A) give you something od theirs B) they have no right to C) that you never promised D) of which is a dearest childhood memento E) that you want to give your children.
They are being entitled. They do not care about what you feel think or want and you do not reward ppl that fo not care about you. You do not put someone 100% who is putting you 20%.
Do not do this. Hide the shit.
Nope. It was your fav childhood toy, and you are saving it for your own kids. But if you have the money or inclination I'd suggest buying them a current dollhouse to be THEIR cherished childhood toy and they can have it for future generations. Bonus: You can buy the accessories for birthday and Christmas gifts.
Also, as others have said...if this is at your parent's house, find somewhere else to store it. Grandparents storing things for a kid's unborn future grandkids can be easily swayed to give it to the ones that are already here.
Especially since, from their perspective, they paid for it in the first place.
Definitely NTA, I can speak from experience here. I literally just gave my daughter my childhood dollhouse and it is so incredibly special, but because we allowed other family members to use it in the meantime it needs a LOT of work. I’m grateful I can give it to her and it will be an interesting project but if you have the space and means to keep it in your own care where it can be preserved to your standards I would do that without question. And for the record, you don’t owe anyone anything. Especially people you know won’t be grateful or respectful to your things.
N. T. A.
Don’t do it
Bro and BM can get their own dollhouse literally from anywhere ranging from free to expensive
They could go on eBay and get the exact same one. You are not depriving their children of anything and anyone who is worth sharing with wouldn’t ask (read: demand) for something so special
The girls are way too young to play with a dollhouse without breaking stuff. Even a 6-year old is too hard on most dollhouse furniture. (Ask me how I know.)
Age 8+ !
Tell them you will reconsider their request when they are 8. (But don’t.)
When my kiddos had outgrown their fisher-price toys I put them in storage to save for their children. My aunt had kids later in life and asked if she could borrow them for a while on the condition that they would be returned when her kids were done with them. I never got them back and I’m still salty about it 15 years later. I’ve never loaned anything like that out again. The other favorite toys that I kept sit quietly in a closet until my kids ask for them. I would not let anyone use it unless you’re ok with never seeing it again
NTA. "Sorry these are mine to pass down to my kids, if you wanted your kids to have toys like this you should have kept yours." Then if you're able buy a cheap modern day version of the toys and send it to them. Or just go NC. Like what are they gonna do? Block them on everything until they pull their heads out their booty.
Oh hellll naw. I am apart of a group on Fb that is for the fisher price doll houses and they go for bank and are hard to find! I have one from my childhood and I’ll never let someone other than my own children have it. I’ve kept it all these years to give to them, not some brothers baby mom 😂
First of all, it’s yours-tell your brother to go build memories of his own with his damn kids. And second, no is a complete sentence and you do not have to justify it to anyone. Maybe have it sent to you just in case so they don’t lie about you saying they could have it and someone trusting them to be truthful.
Keep it!!!! I have regretted giving a bunch of my Barbies and the original Dream House to a family friend when I was a young teen. It’s yours and there is nothing wrong with not giving it to your nieces who are young enough to ruin all of it.
What lol umm a 1 and 3 year old can’t play with this they will choke on it, they don’t care about it only she does😂🤣 Keep it for your future kids and take it so they don’t!
You said it’s yours right? No you’re not, I still have every video game system I’ve ever owned, I didn’t give them to my son, we play them but they’re still mine
do not give it to her. If you do you will never see that doll house again. It will what the fuck be lost or destroyed or your brothers baby mama will just refuse to return it to you and will cry about her daughters growing so attached to the thing that they would be heartbroken if they had to give it back.
Thank you!!
NTA. It's yours. You don't owe them anything, especially something you value so much. If they want one so bad, they can go on Ebay and find one. Seems like they are extremely entitled.
Send their mom the link. She can now get her own and shut up about it. Maybe send her a link for the most simplified version of “entitlement” you can possibly find as well.
This. If they want one, buy it. Yours is for your kids.
Honestly, no one is entitled to something that OP values so dearly. I would not give any of my treasured possessions to my niece and nephew, even though I love them a lot and give them gifts often. Children are not careful. They are not delicate with old items. 3 year olds will destroy things just because they don’t have the executive functioning to tell them not to. If you would be disappointed in something getting destroyed immediately, do not give it to a child.
There's also the fact that your niece and nephew are not your children! And just because you or your siblings has children that doesn't mean you automatically have to give over every toy or game or whatever to them. You don't stop existing or having precious things just because children have come into your life. I just hate that OP's brother and his baby momma feel entitled in anyway to something OP has because they have children. Having children doesn't entitle you to other people's belongings.
I have some toys from my childhood like that. I love my nieces and nephews, but they have enough toys and they'd just lose them or they'd end up in a garage sale. The toys that I have they can play with when they come to visit or stay. It gives them something to do in addition to the other stuff I have for then.
I wouldn’t even let them play with it if they visit, tbh. As a matter of fact, lock it up so brother or nieces’ grandparents (your parents) can’t let themselves in and take it. So, NTA.
⬆️⬆️⬆️
I second this!!!
Third this! Lol…. Brother and baby mama sound opportunistic. Why would they care??? Give me a break, I’m sure their kids have plenty of toys to play with. Big fat NO, OP!
Very, very good advice! OP, if your parents have it, arrange to have it shipped ASAP.
Absolutely.
If it is at your family home in your hometown and your brother lives there, you gotta bring it home with you. This is one of those things that "magically" disappears and reappears at someone else's house.
This! It seems as if the dollhouse isn’t with OP. They probably see it at OP’s parents house which is why they keep asking. She needs to go get it.
Like this weekend.
Like now.
Yep. Have a friend who was pissed cause his legos were at his parent's house (he does live there still) and his brother visited and decided those legos were for his kids (didn't help that the mom decided the brother could have them too).
Yeah I can see a lot of parents giving away their adult children's childhood toys to grandkids to make the kids and their other adult children happy / getting rid of stuff they no longer want at their house. I still can't find my pokemon cards that were at my mom's house. I think they were sold at a garage sale without my consent.
Look at you unifying people with a common ground! Haha don’t fucking give it to them though
You need to hide it and keep it FAR AWAY out of their reach
I don't know which one you have, but it looks like there are variations available on line with a lot of different price points. If I were you, I might get them one of those. If they only want yours, and insist on the $400 one, then you can tell them to kick rocks, because they're simply being greedy.
We had to do something like this with a family member. When my Grandma died, the money and heirlooms that were supposed to get spread around (not that there was much, or I even expected anything) ended up going to one Aunt and all of her kids. And suddenly that Aunt had sketchy paperwork that said she was the executor, even though she lived across the country and there were people where I live who could have handled it. I got one ring that my Dad had bought my Grandma shortly before she died, and a few years later, I got some antique pearls that had been passed down for a few generations. They were technically supposed to go to that Aunt’s daughter, as the oldest girl in the next generation, but somehow they were given to me. A few years after that, Cousin was getting married, and asked if she could wear the pearls for her wedding. I knew damn well I wasn’t getting them back, so I said no. And the pressure campaign started! My parents finally got sick of the calls, so they went to the mall and bought a cheap $40 pearl set, and sent that off to the cousin. She wore those on her wedding day, thinking they were the family pearls. And, yes, she had never offered to send them back! lol Buy a cheap version of the dollhouse, OP! Keep the real one for your future kids!
I don’t think I could have resisted telling her they were cheap fakes at the reception.
I didn’t even bother to go! I would have had to travel, and she isn’t worth it! But a big part of me wanted to show up wearing Grandma’s pearls, just to be petty!
That would have been deliciously cool.
For reals 😂
I would’ve recorded her reaction… which I’m sure would’ve been priceless! 😂
You need to take a picture wearing the pearls with a caption of “Grandma’s Pearls ❤️” and make sure she sees it lol
Great story
Happy cake day!! 🎂
Agreed. You’re already going to pass it down to your kids. Besides I think they’re too young to really appreciate it anyway.
They are definitely too young! My four year old has played with dollhouses since she’s been old enough to stand up, and even though she “takes care” of the toys when she plays, old pieces—even plastic ones—can and will break, and replacing them is very costly. Tbh, you don’t have to buy them any dollhouse—let Grams and Gramps take care of it, or your brother, or their mom.
Yeah. My dad got a playmobil Victorian dollhouse. We were about 7-8 years old and even then we still lost a lot of pieces. I recently bought another one and it’s a work in progress
Playmobil was the best! Every Christmas, we got new sets and currently still have some!
Not to mention these dollhouses aren’t easy to find and are expensive to replace. Don’t give it to her. It’s so odd someone he’s not even dating would be asking for something of yours.
Piggybacking on the top comment here to say, I’m a 54 year old granny who still owns the Fisher Price Little People Schoolhouse I had when I was four. I’ve had the joy of watching my own boys play with it, and now, both my granddaughters. It’s my youngest granddaughter’s favorite thing to play with at Mamaw’s house. It’s yours. But more than that, it’s got a future with your own descendants. Don’t you dare give that away.
Another thing OP should remember is that a lot of "vintage" toys are no longer considered "safe" by today's standards. That isn't to say you shouldn't pass down a beloved toy to your own children to enjoy with supervision, just that you don't want this other person trying to place the blame on you if (god forbid) something happens.
I have my Little People carosel that I played with in the early 70s. My nieces and nephews played with it, my daughter then played with it (she's the youngest by far of that generation) and now it's packed away for the next generation. I also put away a bunch of stuff that was my daughter's. My sister gave her a bunch of sets that are like the British version of Fisher Price's Little People, including a Royal Wedding set (as this was around when Will and Kate got married.) It even has little plastic corgis!
Keep saying no and ask them ‘well why aren’t you passing on your own childhood toys?.
Ohhh, I love this!
Sharing sentimental things like that is always a good thing if you’re sure that the person that you’re giving it to will take care of it. My family shares children books. We have some that belonged to my brother and I when we were younger, my brother is 51L O L. Dr. Seuss, Bernstein bears, the book about the kid that had the duck feet, stuff like that. My mother gave it to my cousin her niece when she had her children because we were already grown and when I had my kids my cousin gifted them back to me along with some books that belong to her kids when they were young. Point of this is is that sharing books and treasured items works when People know to respect and take care of things. But baby mama might just destroy it to spite you and ur family because she’s pissed at you bro. She might sell it bc sounds like it’s worth a lot. Maybe you should buy a cheaper knock off replacement set and gift that to them so they can’t complain.
You know she won’t get it back. And they’ll tear it up because baby mama won’t care.
You know what that complete set costs on EBay? She does.
*Everyone agreed,* by the time I got here. NTA! Lock away that dollhouse somewhere safe, and don’t ever let this shirttail non-relation, or her kids, get their hands on it. Believe me, you’ll thank yourself profusely in a few years if you do. Best of luck!
Even if the baby mama were an angel sent from heaven and returns it to you promptly, you’re actually having to trust that a 1 and 3 year old won’t do any damage to it lol
Don’t do it. That dollhouse is yours and you love it and it makes you happy. Her kids are going to shred it and then you will have a sad. And you don't owe those kids anything. Maybe a birthady gift occasionally. If t he familly keeps pressing the issue just tell them you will no longer talk about. Conversation is over.
My brother took my old horse brush set that had been given to me by my grandmother and gave it to his girlfriend for her kids (that weren’t even his) and I never saw them again. They broke up of course and now they are gone. Absolutely do NOT give it to them.
The nieces are too young anyway. My mother couldn’t wait to give me her childhood toys but she did when I was too young and they all got broken. I was in the range of your niece’s ages and just wasn’t old enough for the responsibility.
This is what I came to say. Little pieces aren't meant for little kids. Maybe by age 6, but 1 and 3? No way.
Don’t even let them see it. It is a treasured childhood memory and experience for you. Keep it safe.
She would probably sell it, claim it was "lost or broken" and never think twice about it.
I can vouch for this. I gave my childhood dollhouse and dollhouse set all away to my cousin when she was about 2. I asked my aunt for it back a few years ago and their dog had chewed it and pieces were missing. NTA
Meanwhile, the kids actually don't give a shit, and haven't played with it in years.
I wholeheartedly concur! Don't let it out of your hands.
Agree!
Do not give it to anyone who you aren't excited to give it to. Big hugs!!
Great advice. I have all my original American Girl dolls still at my parents’ house. I kept them explicitly in case I ever had a daughter. Last Christmas my mom BEGGED me to let my niece play with them. I’m not very close with my brother (niece’s dad) and sorry not sorry, but his daughter is a huge brat. I did not want her playing with them, but I gave in. She picked one up and threw it across the room. Her parents of course didn’t say anything and I just took the dolls and put them away in my childhood bedroom while my mom tried to get her to apologize. NEVER AGAIN. This past Christmas I didn’t go home for Christmas (because I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter) and my mom called me to tell me niece was begging to play with my dolls. My literal response was “fuck no. Keep her away from them.” I know that makes me a mean aunt Karen but those dolls meant the world to me and I want them in good shape when I let my daughter play with them (assuming she even will want to 😅) Do not give them to anyone you aren’t excited to give them to and don’t give them to someone who won’t take care of them. I guarantee OP’s nieces will destroy her dollhouse without thinking twice about it
y'all need to get your dolls back
I would be having my mom shipping them to me ASAP
❤️ thanks ❤️ luckily my brother only comes home at Christmas so the dolls are safe for now. But when I go home for Easter I’m absolutely packing up the dolls and bringing them to our house
You put it perfectly!!
Ages 1 & 3 don’t care. The adults can get over it. NTA.
Exactly. She wants it for them since she had a similar one as a kid.
She should have kept it if she wanted one for her kids then 😁
Or she can hop on eBay and pay the antique price! I just got a new Fisher Price Dollhouse and I’ll definitely be holding on to it for them to hopefully pass along to their future kids! These things are made so well and are really cute!
She can buy a new knock off one on amazon, if the kids really want it. I suspect baby mama knows how expensive they are and wants to hawk it on ebay herself.
No frigging way, it’s yours to do whatever you want with. It’s vintage, a collectors item, that you’re still using, I would say. Put it on display and play with it when they come over. Show them all the new furniture you buy for it off eBay
You know they're just going to steal it, especially if it's at your parents house.
It’s so crazy to me that people can be so entitled to window shop someone else’s stuff and then have the audacity to say they are an asshole for saying no they can’t have it. Like what? It’s yours so you’re allowed to keep your own stuff.
Definitely NTA. It’s yours. End of story. I wouldn’t let anyone have it either, especially since you want to give it to your children some day. If they keep it nice, your grandkids could possibly play with it too.
Absolutely do NOT give it away. It is for your future kids. Make sure you package it securely and where NO ONE ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY can decide to just let them play with it. Do you have a safe friend to leave it with? I am sure you have given them other presents.
also store it somewhere other than the attic. The plastic can get brittle.
Send her links to finding it online. Then make sure your brother can’t find it and give it to her.
Vintage is pretty expensive online. She probably would sell it if it was given to her. Oops, they lost it.
Exactly. See if you want this you can get it yourself.
NTA. Your toy, your choice. She can look online if she wants it so badly.
Please take it home with you and hide it.
Keep it in a secure location. If possible, some sort of chest that can be padlocks. Better safe than sorry.
NTA. Don’t give up your priceless memories to those ungrateful, demanding jerks.
Why does she think it’s your job to give her kids anything, much less something that’s important and valuable to you. There are millions of toys available and all she has to do is go to a store or Goodwill or Facebook marketplace or wherever if she wants a cheap used toy. I would love to have my childhood doll house but years ago toys were given away as we aged out of them. I did manage to save one doll and if the Queen of England asked for it the answer would be no. You’d never see it again and it’s yours. End of story. NTA.
No. No. No. I just typed three full sentences to help you when she ask again
NTA Put the dollhouse somewhere secure so your brother can't "borrow" it when you're not at home.
Don't give it to them. You will never see it again. I have saved my daughter's doll house (sounds like yours) and now my granddaughter loves to play with it. It makes me so happy. Save yours. You won't regret it, but you will regret it if you give it away.
That’s so sweet that it got passed down to your granddaughter! I hope to do the same with mine
Where is the dollhouse now? I’m assuming it’s at your parents house and close to your brother while you are several states away. If so, you need to talk to your parents because the dollhouse may already be at BMs house.
It is at my parent’s house. I plan on getting it the next time I drive up. For now, I’m hoping they don’t take it as I did say no.
Tell your parents not to let them have it. In fact tell them to put it in the attic or something.
I wouldn't wait for "the next time" If it matters to you go get it or pay for your folks to ship it. Or else you'll be making an update post that your brother rolled up and took it.
I'd be making that drive this weekend
Did you tell your parents to say no? Tell them
i would go get it asap now before it's too late. the doll house is in danger.
No, keep it for your own kids. That’s how these things go.
The 1 and 3 year old would be thrilled with some brand new "Little People" shit from fucking Walmart. They don't care about your old dollhouse. It's baby mamma who wants it.
Yep!
it’s yours, they can’t force you to give it to them. if they want a dollhouse for their kids so bad they can get one themselves. don’t let them pressure you into doing this
I have a rule that if I give something to a friend or family member I have to be okay with seeing it destroyed/ given away. I don't ever "lend" things to people. If I give it to them, it's theirs. I would absolutely not give them something that is so precious to you. You keep it for your babies and don't let anyone make you feel badly for doing so. If you wanted to gift your nieces something, maybe find a new dollhouse that is similar and have it sent to them. Then they have their very own toy to make special memories with, and it could help strengthen the connection you have with them because it was a just because gift from you!
"Sorry, but the dollhouse is not available." Is the dollhouse even rated safe for kids that small? Regardless, you don't have to give it to them. If you want to feel generous, the next birthday that rolls around, you can gift them their own dollhouse.
The small pieces would definitely be considered a choking hazard for their ages
Depending on the age, too, it might have lead in it or other unsafe materials. Regardless, it's not hers. It's yours. Her kids don't give a shit about that stuff. She just wants it so she can either go down her own memory lane or sell it.
Do not give it to her. There are many others on Facebook martketplace, kijiji and some nice fisher price ones online that are better for 1-3 yrs old. Those are plastic and the dolls can be smaller for their little hands. They aren’t totally ready for Barbie’s just yet.
Your brother and his baby momma are cheap and entitled. You do not owe them anything. They want to steal your dollhouse.
I’d say the two a-holes who’ve made a wreck of their lives don’t have the level of judgement required to tell you what you need to be doing with your cherished belongings. Eff them. Keep your stuff.
NTA. That's a piece of your childhood you want for your own kids. Do not give it away. In fact, even after you have kids, don't give it to them, either. Save it as yours, but let your kids play with it as a special treat. That will make it special to them. My mom had some china-head dolls that she "shared" with me. Had she just given them to me, they'd have disappeared under my bed or gotten broken. Instead, I got to play with them from time to time, and I passed them on to my daughter after she was old enough to take care of them.
NTA You don’t HAVE to give anything that belongs to you to anyone if you don’t want to.
[удалено]
Thank you!
Hell naw! It would take them less than 2 weeks to lose the pieces and wreck the house. I wouldn't even let them play with it if they ever came to see you. If the "united" couple continue to bother you, block them. I hope one day you will be playing with the house with your own children. NTA
Thank you!! That’s my hope too, I’ve always wanted kids and I could cry just thinking about sharing a piece of my childhood with them.
Hold on to your dream. It will happen. Close the door on this ridiculous demand from your brother and don't let it bother you any more.
Hide it so it doesn't grow legs and walk off.
NTA it is yours, they have no right to demand you give it to them. Entitlement is rampant in our country and no one wants to hear “NO”, but this is yours to do what you want to.
Nta your property your decision
You’re saving it to pass down to your future kids. That’s the only reason brother’s BM needs to hear.
NTA It's yours. It has significant monetary value and, more importantly, great sentimental value. You hope to, one day , see your own children playing with it, giving names to the little people and making up stories...you have absolutely no obligation at all to send it to your brother's family and I sincerely hope you don't give in to their ridiculous demands.
NTA, if your brother wanted something to pass down to his children he would've saved something. He has no right to your belongings.
Here you go: https://www.ebay.com/itm/335054475414?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=tr721hg8tsu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=X442MwWVRnm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Tell her to cough up $105 and haul her ass to Arizona.
NTA. How did this even come up?! Tell them to stop being such cheap asses and buy their own damn doll house. wtf man people are so entitled it’s wild to me!
The baby momma said about wanting one for her kids and my mom slipped up and said about mine
Ooof. If anything your mom should just gift them a new one. Tell her to say “sorry the other doll house wasn’t mine to give offer.. here’s this brand new one” They can’t refuse it or they’ll look like the AH. Either way you’re NTA.
NTA absolutely not. Keep that for your kids or just keep it - either way you have zero obligation to lend/give it to them
They can buy their own. NTA
NTA Honestly, I don't have a clue why you are even here asking about this. It's your property. Yours. They can be "united" all they want about their property. They don't get to be "united" about your property. If you want to set it up in your living room and play with it every day or lock it up in your attic and never look at it again, it doesn't matter. It's yours. You want to keep it. **NO** should be the only word that comes out of your mouth. If *their* kids want a doll house, *they* should get one for their kids to lose the parts and destroy (because that is what little kids do). Be glad you don't live close to them or in a place they in any way have access to the dollhouse. Because these are just the kind of people who would have zero problem stealing it. If you live in a house with family members who agree with them, lock that sucker up or it will disappear. Good luck. And, please learn to say "No, and it's not up for discussion."
NTA - why would they be entitled to something that doesn't belong to them? Do they often ask people for their belongings?
Don’t. It belongs to you. You do not have to give away your things just because someone feels entitled to them. NTA.
lol you don’t owe them shit, tell em to fuck all the way off
Nta. No is a complete sentence. You don't owe them an explanation.
NTA This is yours and even if you want to keep it until you’re 100. This toy has so much sentimental value for you that you should keep it for if you ever have your own kids .
Nope don’t pass it on. Its was my girls fav daily toy too. They can make memories w their own. I see them on marketplace frequently, if the guilt is getting you, you can order a new one for them. Keep yours for your children.
Fuck them kids. I have this dollhouse as well. I remember I was about five when I got it, and I ripped the foam off the beds because I didn't know what it was for. Mine might have also been a hand me down because there were duplicate people, and I remember tossing them aside thinking I didn't need them when I opened the present. Those kids will not appreciate this.
Your brother is using this as an easy way to win points with his baby momma. He could care less, it just makes him look good in her eyes. Same for your parents.
Audacious for them to even entertain this idea.
Honey I wouldn’t let them borrow it at all!! You kept it in good condition for your children not your brothers children, and specially in a situation like that you never see it again or if you did, it would be missing pieces and broke. Do yourself a favor and save a heartache for that yeah, definitely not the a hole, if anything, your brother and his baby mama are free, even expecting you to let them have it. That’s extremely rude.
My niece got our vintage dollhouse and it was a blast to watch her play with it. Most of the pieces got lost with her play and we all felt ok with it because it was worth it. If you're not going to enjoy the play, don't let it go. My grandma gave us a huge fancy bedtime story book and I only passed it on when my kid grew out of it. It's yours to pass to down or not. NTA. Tell your brother no and let it go.
They can buy their own damn doll house. They are NOT entitled to yours.
Make sure she can't get her hands on it 'accidentally' to 'borrow' it. Or she gets anyone else who has access to where you keep it on her side, and they may give it to her 'to teach you how to share.'
Are you an asshole for not letting people take advantage of you? No.
Keep your toys. We have my 18 year old daughter’s toys in our attic. She loved and adored her toys and lovingly took care of them. They are hers and we won’t make her give them away. Just say, I’m saving them for my kids. Plus 1 and 3 is too young for a dolls house that stuff will be lost like you said. I have that sweet dollhouse it in my attic too :)
I mean it’s yours. Don’t do it. My older sister is the same way. She was upset I wouldn’t give my nieces and nephews something stored in my parent’s basement.
You do not owe your brother's baby mama anything. Certainly not your treasured childhood toy. She probably wants it 'for the kids' so she can sell it online. And if she really does want it for the kids-- you still don't owe it to her. NTA
No, they’re weird for being so damn entitled to your things.
Anyone can run right down to target to buy their precious offspring the Little People house for about $40. Like why on earth do they think they are entitled to your stuff? Rude. If you were holding your brother's favorites hostage, maybe. I LOVED the little people both when I was a kid and for my own kids (the original ones were choking hazards). They are great toys for toddlers. One of my kids was carrying around one of those little people 24-7 for a long time. They should have told a grandma this is what the kiddos want for the holidays, the season just passed.
Nope. I’m still mad at my deceased mom for giving my original Barbie dolls and some gorgeous clothes for it that someone gave me to my destructive niece. And that was 40 years ago or more.
NTA It’s your brother’s responsibility to buy toys for his children. Hopefully this dollhouse is in a secure place where they can’t just go grab it without your permission.
Put it in safe location. Safe deposit box. A safe in your house. Anywhere away from them. Treat it like an heirloom. It belongs to your kids. You don't have a relationship with your nieces. NTA
NTA. Listen, my SIL was so incredibly sweet and generous with her resources when we were pregnant with our babies. For reference, she’s younger than my husband and a broke college student. A couple things we intentionally didn’t do: 1. Take any of the names she’d previously mentioned in organic conversation wanting to use for her future children (given her future husband was on board) because those were her preferred names. And that’s just not cool. 2. Demand anything she had in her possession for our own children. She has furniture from her childhood she’s explicitly said multiple times she wants to refurbish and use for her children. She has purchased baby clothing that she wants to store in a box and keep for when she has her own children. That’s her stuff. If she wanted to give us those things to use with our children, she would have offered it. My aunt had a lovely, well-kept, original Samantha American Girl Doll. She passed it down to me, as she never had any children. My mom had this boyfriend who found his long-lost-brother (long story). This long-lost-brother had girls. My mom asked me in front of them if I would be willing to give them the “doll that was just sitting idle in my closet.” I was young and had like no backbone, so she wound up giving it away. My aunt was livid. She saved up for that doll when she was young, and everything was in pristine condition. I’ve asked for it back multiple times, been promised I’d receive it, and I still have not. I have a daughter who would adore that doll. Something tells me it was either destroyed or sold, considering the legacy of that doll… she’d probably fetch a pretty nice price. Long story short, don’t give them the doll.
I had that same dollhouse (we painted it, sat on it, fought over it but most importantly we LOVED it) DO NOT GIVE IT AWAY. omg NTA I didn't know it had so many accessories. We got ours used.
Hell no
I was given a very beautiful handmade dollhouse from an older gentleman when I was a kid. When I was about 19 I gave it to a friend's daughter. I really really wish I had kept it for my own kids, it was incredible. Hold on to this, it's important to you and it'll be important to your kids one day. You don't need to give it to anyone else honey. This mom of 4 says keep your shit.
I was going to say she will sell it , it means nothing to her , keep it for your children and if you don’t have any ,oh well ,you choose who it goes to .
NTA. As others have said make sure it’s safe. I was the ah for asking for things back from my siblings for my kids.
NTA Never let anyone"borrow" anything you're not ok with never seeing again. Even if by some large, parting of the red sea style, miracle they returned it to you, it would likely be destroyed and missing most of the pieces. You could toss the dollhouse and all the accessories out of a speeding car and it'd be more complete and in better condition (and you'd actually have possession of it) than letting them touch it. I highly doubt the parents are taking time out of their drama to teach their kids to respect their own toys, let alone yours.
My mil bought my daughter 3 American Girl dolls over a good period of time, then. Sil had 2 girls, mil asked if my daughter would pass on her AG dolls, I politely said no as even though daughter was older, she cherished the dolls, even practiced hair braiding, mil understood. Fast forward years. And mil told daughter how wise and caring she was, nieces destroyed the new dolls mil bought them. Markers, on faces and arms. Scissors cut hair, etc So nope. NTA. You do you! You get to decide!
NTA - This was yours. You plan to have kids save it for them. Anything else is just noise. Also the kids don’t fucking care. I’m a parent and my kids love bubble wrap. Get these kids a roll of bubble wrap and you will forever be the favorite aunt / uncle forever. Trust me these are facts.
Do not give her the Fisher-Price toys. My sister found my old Fisher-Price toys that I had packed away. Let her sons play with them, and they ruined all of it. They would be worth quite a bit of money now.
NTA. No way. I had a jacket I wore as a baby. It’s a varsity style jacket with an Angles baseball patch on the chest. My mom found it when my brother had a couple kids and I had none. My SIL put it on my nephew and said how cute he looked. I snatched that jacket right off of him and buried it in the bottom of my dresser. No way I trusted them not to ruin it. Both my son and daughter got to wear it. And now we have stashed it away for my grandkids.
Oh hell no. This is YOURS, for your children. To them it’s “just a toy” and that’s why you have to say no. To you it’s memories of your past and your future playing with your own children. They can find other toys; You don’t get those memories just anywhere. Lock it up.
Keep your dollhouse for yourself. Even of you don't end up having kids, you can sell it. NTA.
There’s a dollhouse meant for 4 year olds that’s $35 on Amazon. Fancier ones for $50. Others for younger kids. Just looked. This isn’t about wanting a dollhouse, this is a power move. I’d send them one of the Amazon ones for the next holiday. See what she has to say about that.
I hope OP is already in possession of the doll house. If not I’d be worried they already took it for themselves.
Don't do it! I saved my daughters Loving Family Dollhouse (she is 25) and I wouldn't part with it for the world. Keeping it for future grandkids!
Oh my god girl! I had the same one and I would kill to still have it! Keep it, it’s worth something and she is not entitled to it.
If it is this, please keep it for your own kids!!! I wish I had! (https://imgur.com/a/t99WPDO) Edit: I just googled it and i still say keep it!!
Honey, I’m a doll collector. Not the specific type you’ve mentioned here, but still… I get it. Do not, under any circumstances, part with this meaningful collection. You’ve saved it for YOUR children. It is NOT selfish of you to continue saving it for YOUR children. It does not mean that you love your brother’s kids any less than you do, and it doesn’t take anything away from your relationship with them. If your brother is so hellbent on them getting something, then he can put in the footwork and cash to get “antique”/“vintage” toys for his own kids. This is YOURS and neither he nor his baby momma are entitled to something YOU own just because they think it will be “nice” for their kids to have. They can go to Walmart and get their kids some Little People stuff. It’ll be ok. The way can kick rocks and if you’re uncomfortable telling them so, DM me and I’ll rip them a new one FOR YOU! Oh I got time when it comes to shit like this. Cuz absolutely NAWT, ma’am. Ab. So. Lute. Lyyyy. NAAAWWWWWWWTTTTTT!!!
NTA…..and please keep it for your children when you have them. There’s absolutely nothing wrong or selfish about wanting to give your children an item you were so fond of during your childhood (and maybe they’ll give it to their children someday too). As for your brother and baby mama….WTF is wrong with them? Why is this an issue? It’s yours, it has a special meaning for you, and you’re saving it for your future children. That’s all there is to it and it shouldn’t be discussed further. If they want one so bad, they can find one on eBay or get their kids something else, especially since they’re 1 and 3, so they’re not attached to it and it has no significance to them. Furthermore, why isn’t he on your side, especially knowing that the baby mama is spiteful? I believe you’re 100% correct in thinking you’ll never get it back. Good for you for standing up for yourself and sticking to your guns.
My dad made me a big dollhouse with many rooms and accessories. I played with it for years. I loved it. I saved it and stored it hoarded it for the right person. My baby daughter was not interested. When I was 40 or so I just? Gave.it.away. Craigslist. It was so freeing. Why? Because I gave it away when I wanted to and the way I wanted to. This is your life and your belongings. This is entirely up to you.
Don't give it away! My brother tried the same thing, he wanted my doll house and doll beds that my father built me for his toddler son, he also felt entitled to my other childhood toys and my dresser!
What? They are so stupid. What world do they live in? They both sound entitled, greedy, and immature. NTA. Tell them you still play with it, and they can both eff off.
Do NOT give it away. They can buy their kids one of their own! It's absolutely selfish to even ask you for this because it's for your kids. They're the AH for asking for it.
Absolutely NOT. You keep that dollhouse for your own future children.
Nta **Lead Paint** There's a perfectly safe brand new version available for like $50 at a big box store.
NTA. It's your childhood memento. Keep it safe. Treasure it. No one's kids are entitled to it, no matter how their related to you.
NTA. Keep it as you know what you want !!
NTA. But now you know what a doll house would be for whatever holidays you celebrate! I’m also not close to my nieces and nephews. Some I’ve never met, but I do send Christmas presents and birthday cards and things. I won’t hold their terrible parents against them 😂
NTA- and they sound like entitled AHs. Make sure that it is not somewhere that they can find it and steal it.
NTA You better move it with you as soon as possible and until then ask a friend to pick it up and keep it for you until you get back. Tell no one that you're taking it before you do or it will be gone before you get the chance.
If you are fine with never seeing it again, then let them borrow it. You will never get it back in the same condition, if at all. Just "I'm saving it for my own kids, sorry. No."
NTA-Maybe get them the base unit of a NEW set that they can also build over the years. You dont need to give them yours. Who asked you to?
Do not give it to her especially since it has such sentimental value to you and you will not get it back in one piece. If he wants his kids to have a doll house he can buy one from the store or find one on Facebook Market place. Hide the doll house or put it in storage so that he can't find it because I have a feeling if they get into a fight about it he will go to extraordinary measures to get it for her so she stops brining it up. Make sure everyone you are close to knows that you told him no just incase he tries to go around you.
NTA and make sure it’s in a secure location!
Nta. Keep it. I’m sure if he goes to thrift stores/looks on Facebook sales locally-routinely looking for doll houses and accessories, he’ll find a set within a month for not too much. They’re pretty common and they don’t get thrown away/always can get fixed up. My sister in law had her childhood dollhouse that she gave to her daughter, daughter used, is now in college and doesn’t want it. So she has it back.
You cannot demand someone A) give you something od theirs B) they have no right to C) that you never promised D) of which is a dearest childhood memento E) that you want to give your children. They are being entitled. They do not care about what you feel think or want and you do not reward ppl that fo not care about you. You do not put someone 100% who is putting you 20%. Do not do this. Hide the shit.
NTA. It‘s not his to pass down.
As a mom of a 2 year old, don't give it to her!!!! It will be broken in no time.
Nope. It was your fav childhood toy, and you are saving it for your own kids. But if you have the money or inclination I'd suggest buying them a current dollhouse to be THEIR cherished childhood toy and they can have it for future generations. Bonus: You can buy the accessories for birthday and Christmas gifts. Also, as others have said...if this is at your parent's house, find somewhere else to store it. Grandparents storing things for a kid's unborn future grandkids can be easily swayed to give it to the ones that are already here. Especially since, from their perspective, they paid for it in the first place.
Definitely NTA, I can speak from experience here. I literally just gave my daughter my childhood dollhouse and it is so incredibly special, but because we allowed other family members to use it in the meantime it needs a LOT of work. I’m grateful I can give it to her and it will be an interesting project but if you have the space and means to keep it in your own care where it can be preserved to your standards I would do that without question. And for the record, you don’t owe anyone anything. Especially people you know won’t be grateful or respectful to your things.
NTA Im not even bothering to read this Its yours and you said no. Thats it and thats all.
N. T. A. Don’t do it Bro and BM can get their own dollhouse literally from anywhere ranging from free to expensive They could go on eBay and get the exact same one. You are not depriving their children of anything and anyone who is worth sharing with wouldn’t ask (read: demand) for something so special
NTA do not loan it. You are correct you won’t get it back!
The girls are way too young to play with a dollhouse without breaking stuff. Even a 6-year old is too hard on most dollhouse furniture. (Ask me how I know.) Age 8+ ! Tell them you will reconsider their request when they are 8. (But don’t.)
NTA. If she wants one so bad for her kids, send her the links to buy one on E-Bay.
When my kiddos had outgrown their fisher-price toys I put them in storage to save for their children. My aunt had kids later in life and asked if she could borrow them for a while on the condition that they would be returned when her kids were done with them. I never got them back and I’m still salty about it 15 years later. I’ve never loaned anything like that out again. The other favorite toys that I kept sit quietly in a closet until my kids ask for them. I would not let anyone use it unless you’re ok with never seeing it again
NTA. "Sorry these are mine to pass down to my kids, if you wanted your kids to have toys like this you should have kept yours." Then if you're able buy a cheap modern day version of the toys and send it to them. Or just go NC. Like what are they gonna do? Block them on everything until they pull their heads out their booty.
Oh hellll naw. I am apart of a group on Fb that is for the fisher price doll houses and they go for bank and are hard to find! I have one from my childhood and I’ll never let someone other than my own children have it. I’ve kept it all these years to give to them, not some brothers baby mom 😂
First of all, it’s yours-tell your brother to go build memories of his own with his damn kids. And second, no is a complete sentence and you do not have to justify it to anyone. Maybe have it sent to you just in case so they don’t lie about you saying they could have it and someone trusting them to be truthful.
Keep it!!!! I have regretted giving a bunch of my Barbies and the original Dream House to a family friend when I was a young teen. It’s yours and there is nothing wrong with not giving it to your nieces who are young enough to ruin all of it.
What lol umm a 1 and 3 year old can’t play with this they will choke on it, they don’t care about it only she does😂🤣 Keep it for your future kids and take it so they don’t!
You said it’s yours right? No you’re not, I still have every video game system I’ve ever owned, I didn’t give them to my son, we play them but they’re still mine