to be fuming at this.

[princessglitter]

My house feels chaotic with 3 under 5s sometimes. I try to keep on top of clutter and have been busy clearing out old and broken toys to make room for xmas and birthday toys.

Today my stepdad sent a text saying he'd left some toys and books at our house while we were out. It was ds's birthday, so I assumed it was a present.

I got back from a bonfire night display about half an hour ago, exhausted and ready to settle down for the night. I was upset to discover 3 huge cardboard boxes of what I can only describe as junk at the side of my house.

The 20 year old action men I can forgive as unwanted donations for the kids, though I would have preferred to have been asked if I wanted then first.

However the boxes also contained my brothers' old school books from 15 years ago, broken make up cases, bits of an old plastic tree, broken costume jewellery, broken photo frames etc etc. I feel like crying. We only just manage to keep on top of clutter as it is.

Would I be unreasonable to ring my stepdad tomorrow and ask him to pick up his rubbish as we don't want it?

Could be worse...

We live in a disposable era, where little gets passed on, and things are just binned and replaced. Most of our parents are from a generation where that did not happen. Toys were handed down until they literally fell to pieces for a start.

It does sound like he didnt look too thoroughly through the boxes before dropping them off, but it was a thoughtful gesture in my opinion, and not something worth having a go at him for.

"AIBU?" is a question whose answer will only justify your feelings, but does it solve your problem? None of us here know your dad so we cannot judge if his action was thoughtful or thoughtless.The real issue here is that you are having a problem and need to solve it. Go to the root of the problem - your dad - and tell him honestly how you feel. Since you are not happy with what you received (and had not asked for it) return it with a clear explanation. You will save yourself a lot of anguish (and cardboard boxes) in the future.

Flytip it.
A stream is best.