In laws buying presents for grandkids to play with at their house exaclusively

I think it’s very reasonable if they are there often. I had stuff that just stayed at my Nanas house however I was there at least 2 days a week. My mum has stuff for my daughter as she sees her nearly daily. Means I’m not carting stuff about in the car everyday. I guess how much they have will need to balance out with the regularity/length of your visits.

I think if they're wrapped up Christmas gifts, it's mean to tell them that they can't take them home. The kids won't be able to understand why and it is upsetting for them.

However it's fine for GPs to buy toys for their house. But just not as gifts.

We used to have to keep anything at grandma’s that had pieces, mum would lose them and had a tendency to throw stuff away

This is a good outcome.

Uts quite nuanced as i think is lovely to have toys at GPs in principle. (Less junk in your house, fun for the kids etc) But "abused" it can be a control device...

Did your dd bring the dolls house home or leave it? I'd be praying it got left.

MIL did this too. I thought it was bit weird. DD was bit upset as she wanted her new toy to go home with her. Turned out MIL was re-wrapping the gifts for cousins to use at hers too.

I think that is great. I was bored at grandparents without toys. I know you can take some over but what a treat to go to a house where there are toys that are different to the toys you have at home. I think you are overthinking this, it really doesn't matter.

To Mil...grandchild cried all the way home because we left their presents they are really upset.

My son got a karaoke guitar thing today from my mammy, he's leaving it at hers cos it feels more special when he goes back to stay, it's not something she's ever enforced though

Nicely handled!

My grandparents did this when I was a child and my parents do it now for my kids.

Always thought it was lovely - having your own toys in a different house really makes it feel like you belong there, too. I feel the same way now as the mum - how wonderful that my parents' home can be this for my children.

Oh you handled that beautifully!
Good for you to be clear about it too - no hints - a great model for your child to see.

We buy a few toys for our house and a few duplicates like a scooter, as their parents don’t have a car and can’t bring much with them if we are babysitting - but these are not given as wrapped gifts. I think easy enough to gently explain the difference and that some toys are best not given as gifts if they are going to live at the grandparents.

I wouldn’t be happy with this, particularly as GPs often ask for ideas which come from my list of things I know the DC would love, and things I would otherwise buy!

If they insisted on keeping it at their then I would simply buy a second one for home.

I'm with you Op. the children can play with it for a short time and then have to leave it? Doesn't seem very kind especially if they love it. I'd be saying "nanny and grandad said the presents have to stay here". I wouldn't be having my kids think this is my fault!

Hmm. I had this and it was annoying at the time, especially as there were toys given that we didn't have at our house but looking back, you know what? It doesn't matter! Let the ils have the toys at their house. Life's too short. Xx

She is being U. Santa comes to the child's house.

They have had their time with kids; this is your time.

Put your foot down!

We had toys and games at our house, but they weren’t Christmas or birthday gifts. They were age appropriate things for them to play with at our house, so they didn’t have to bring them from theirs. I have fond memories of the plastic skittles, sticky dart board, board games and colouring stuff.

Mine understood perfectly when they were two. It was the norm, they’d never known anything else. Grandma doesn’t need to discuss it with you @isizweird, I bet you wouldn’t want it taken home if it was something huge or noisy.

I’d LOVE this. My house is already filled with shit - they don’t need anything more.

I think see how it plays out but if your dc wants to take something home later just say she wants to take this home and hopefully if they hear your dc saying this they will relent. Otherwise if your dc is left upset or is upset/looking for it tomorrow/later in the week at home you and your husband will have to say sorry this isn't working. In my opinion it's not worth it if it's meant to be for the dc but just upsets them. I'd rather they gave nothing then tbh. I mean this wouldn't work when DC is a bit older and wants to show friends a toy but it's at grandma's house...

This makes sense especially for large items or garden equipment that can be used by lots of visiting grandkids. I dont understand why there is an issue and it will make the grandparents house more attractive to visit for the kids.

Are they the only grandchildren? Will other children be playing with these toys when they go round?

A 2 year old will find it hard to understand but that’s part of life lessons. It depends entirely on your response and tone used when it’s discussed.

surely your two yea old visits friends / nursery or play groups etc and understands that toys stay there too?

It makes sense to have toys at the grandparents house surely. It saves you taking toys with you every time you visit. It seems MILs can't do anything right on MN