I think IABU. Don't know what do do.

[Twopeapods]

I had a little toy dog which was given to me as a baby as a sort of comforter. I took it everywhere, pretended it was real, used my pocket money to buy it new collars! When my daughter was three she asked for it and I gave it to her. It was very sturdy like a beany toy. No problem. Except it went missing. Wasn't in the lost and found box at nursery, searched hi and low. Eventually gave up and moved on. This was about a year ago and my DD has moved up to P1.
Yesterday after school a little girl was wondering about the playground with her siblings. She was three and attends the nursery. She was holding the little toy dog!!!! It had my little collar on it, everything. I was sooo shocked. She was obviously quite attached to it. I can't bring myself to say anything to the mum. I am 100% sure it is mine but I can't take a little girls toy puppy could I? It is about 25 years old and I really loved it.

[IamFriedSpam]

Of course you can say something to the mum. Just say it was your DD's toy which you handed down to her and she lost it in nursery and would like it back (if you're feeling generous say you'll buy her a replacement). You can't possibly know that the little girl is even that attached to it.

[Mrsemcgregor]

Oh dear, what a dilemma for you. On one hand it is your precious childhood toy. But on another the little girl who loves it now doesn't know that.

Sorry I am no help. It's a bit like the book "Dogger".

[ChicRock]

I'd take it back like a shot.

I still have my 35 year old bunny teddy. If I'm letting anyone else have it I'm not it'll at least be a family member.

[Twopeapods]

I'll have a look for her in the playground agin tomorrow. I'm working today. What would I even say? I'm thinking the toy was left at nursery and tidied away in the toy boxes or left on the playground bench etc. I love that little dog but I don't think I've got the backbone to ask the mum for it back.
It had its own little bed and blanket and I took it bloody everywhere:-(

[STFU]

She' a "little girl". It's easy to take back

Seriously, just tell the parent you're taking it and why. Perhaps buy a cheap replacement for the little girl as she's likely an innocent third party - ad there's every chance her parents are as well.

[xStefx]

Aw I would approach the mother and explain everything, why dont you go and buy a new doggy toy for when you do the swap
I would be fine if someone were to approach me about it.
Hope you get it back x

[KoalaDownUnder]

If I had to, I'd spin it as 'Oh, so glad to see it again - my little girl has been devastated about losing that!' white lie

But I'd be taking it back.

[RebootYourEngine]

Surely the mother is in the wrong here. Who allows their child to keep something that they found, presumably at nursery.

[gamerchick]

Yeah I would use your child line.

I have a teddy I've had since nursery as well. He's very precious to me and I would want him back.

[MadeForThis]

The mum must know that her DD had brought it home from nursery.
I would know immediately if DD came home with a new toy. Presumably it looks old and loved. The mum won't be surprised if u ask for it back.

[Witchend]

I'd swoop on it with a "thank goodness, I have been looking for it everywhere. It was given to me 25 years ago and of course they don't make them anymore"
Otherwise there's a good chance she'll claim it was a present to the dd.

[SomethingBorrowed]

I would ask for it.
Don't accuse the other child of anything of course, but honestly the parent must know it doesn't belong to their DC.