AIBU to expect in-laws to buy age appropriate gifts for my 2 year old?

[llmmhh]

My daughter has just had her 2nd birthday and my in-laws bought several gifts all of which I have had to confiscate because the are inappropriate.

The worst example is a tea set (which my daughter loved for the few hours I let her play with it) which is made from porcelain and has some very small parts. According to the label it is not suitable for children under 8 years! After a few hours of playing many of the pieces are chipped or completely broken and very sharp.

I am really cross that I have had to confiscate all of the gifts they bought because none of them were suitable. The same thing happened last year when she bought a train suitable for a 3 year old for DD 1st birthday.

I have asked my DH to talk to his mum about it but he is very reluctant as he does not have that kind of relationship with her.

Any advice on how I should handle this?

[VeronicaCake]

Agree with the advice to smile, say thank you and put it away until you think she is ready.

Also a lot of the age guidelines on toys are mad and presumably only put there to restrict liability rather than for any sensible reason. Almost all DD's (1) toys say not suitable for children under 36m including the ginormous rubber duck she plays with in the bath.

[Oblomov]

Agreed. Age guideliens are 'guidelines'. I give toys to my ds's that are a year+ advanced to their age. Ds2(2.8) plays with toys aged 4, and he also plays with ds1(7)'s toys, IF I think they are APPROPRIATE. Its just common sense.

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

Ive just bought my DD the teaset from ikea. She is two and a half. We sit and play with it together having an indoor picnic/tea party with all her dolls and teddys lined up, we have little cakes and sandwiches on them and juice in the teapot. When we've finished we put them away. I wouldnt leave her unsupervised with them as they would get broken, put then i wouldnt leave her alone when she is painting either or she'd wreck the walls!

I think its quite a sweet toy. You just have to actually play with them rather than leave them to it.

(Not being sarcy, i think i leave mine to it too much so got this set to make me join in more)

[halcyondays]

I wouldn't say anything, I would just say thank you and put anything unsuitable away until she's older. I wouldn't have let her play with the porcelain tea set, I would just hide it away. I've always done this with presents if for example they have small parts and my dd2 still puts things in her mouth even at there, or a game that's too old for them.

[Ephiny]

I agree, would just put them away until you think she's old enough to enjoy them. Don't see the problem at all, and I think it would be quite rude and ungrateful to complain to them about what they bought.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

We use Amazon lists now for ourselves and DH's massive family. It has made things a million times easier! Very very good idea.

[TheDeathlyMarshmallows]

I am totally un-embarassed to say that each of my children have Amazon wishlist

You can create them as additional lists on your account so no need for them to have thier own Amazon accounts for whoever asked. Whenever I see something I think either of them would like, I add it and then at Christmas and birthdays, I point anyone asking for ideas at the relevant list.

DH and I both have large families and consequently, the (very lucky) DC's have an army of generous Aunties, Unlces and Grandparents all asking for suggestions at various times of the year. Everyone is internet savvy and I know my Mum and MIL particularly like the lists as they can look, add to basket and pay and easily tick the children off their present lists without having to trek round the shopping centre at the weekends. They both work so time saved is appreciated.

DD's is particularly useful as her birthday is 8 days before Christmas and so everyone wants 2 ideas at once!

I just make sure I go through them a couple of weeks before they're needed and remove anything they've grown out of/gone off the idea of.

[hophophippidtyhop]

This reminds me of the christmas dd1 was just over 1, and PIL bought a rocking horse for 3+ that neighed and has terrified her for the last 3 years until recently, and a garden swing for a five year old! They are kept at their house. Thankfully they have got a bit better at age appropiate presents now!