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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ebay toys ds rarely plays with?

20 replies

fullofregrets · 07/06/2012 15:59

DS (only child, only grandchild) has enough toys to stock a nursery. He has too many really and it probably isn't good for him.
Following his birthday last week we now have even more. I really need to get rid of some but I'm really struggling to decide which ones. Some I think he doesn't play with much because he's still a bit young for them so will keep them a while. Some he rarely plays with but then will play with exclusively for a few days before ignoring them again for weeks and weeks. Should I get rid of these do you think?

I want to have a clear out, it is driving me mad, DH says I am mean getting rid of toys DS likes. But I think he has so many he can't play with things properly. He has too many choices. Also some toys are very similar and some are one trick ponies (remote control robot I'm looking at you.)

Also DS remembers every toy he has ever owned and will randomly ask for something he has shown no interest in for months.

AIBU to eBay / charity shop / freecycle things he plays with less than once a fortnight? Less than once a month? Where do I draw the line?!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 07/06/2012 16:03

I think you're over thinking it really.

Jut ditch the ones he hasn't shown interest in for months and if he randomly remembers them, tell him you've given them to poor children who have no toys at all.

AnyoneForTennis · 07/06/2012 16:04

Well nit many people are going to say yabu are they!?!

Original poster
fullofregrets · 07/06/2012 16:05

I think I'm struggling a bit too because I'm finding it hard to let go of the baby toys he has grown out of! Even though I know I can't keep everything...

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 07/06/2012 16:07

is he going to be an only child, or are there going to be more grandchildren coming along...

could you ask the grandparents if they want some toys stored at their house for future visits..

WorraLiberty · 07/06/2012 16:08

Run Squeakytoy before you get Ebayed Shock

It's not safe for you on this thread.

StrandedBear · 07/06/2012 16:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 07/06/2012 16:09
Grin
Original poster
fullofregrets · 07/06/2012 16:09

If we don't have any more children then there definately won't be any more grandchildren.
I am 90% certain he will be an only one. My head knows it is the right decision, just got to convince my heart of the same thing! Also have high chair, walker and baby clothes to get rid of. Thank god for our gigantic loft.

OP posts:
mummmsy · 07/06/2012 16:11

considering doing the same myself...only (and will only ever be an only) child

i thought i might be being unreasonable too

goodygumdrops · 07/06/2012 16:12

Could you rotate them? Stick them in two piles. Bung one lot in a cupboard/in the garage/ in a spare room and them take swop them over in a few weeks? I have done this and it helps me as much as anything as i dont get bored of playing the same games with my little one!

Original poster
fullofregrets · 07/06/2012 16:17

goody I think I will do this.
I may carboot things we don't want anymore, I'm not sure I can stand parcelling up loads of toys for ebay. And won't get much more for them anyway as people won't pay much as postage on toys makes them not much cheaper than buying new.
Think I will put money in DS's account as a lot of the toys have been gifts. Or would like to take him to see mickey and friends at the theatre so could use money for tickets.

Some of the smaller things and books I will take to the charity shop, they said they were short of toys when I took a few things in last week. Better not take DS with me though, he will want it all back!

So hard letting go of his babyhood. And also of things which I know cost about twenty quid but will sell for about a pound.

OP posts:
pinkappleby · 07/06/2012 16:18

You could put some in the NCT nearly new sale, that's a good one stop shop for getting rid of all of it. I wouldn't just shove it in the loft, that's just putting the problem off and some of it will spoil up there or get dated.

You need to 'manage' presents if he gets a lot. Ask for things like dressing gown/slippers/sticker books/bath bombs/hoodie towels/play doh/sand for sand pit/felt tips etc

squeakytoy · 07/06/2012 16:20

donate some to the local womens refuge maybe.. many of the women who flee to them do so without any of the toys for their children, so I am sure they would be much appreciated

Original poster
fullofregrets · 07/06/2012 16:23

This birthday I asked for book vouchers and clothes if anyone asked.
We got these things plus a lot of toys! I am grateful that people are so kind but will need an extension soon! And sometimes I think it is too much for DS. He flits between toys instead of concentrating on one toy. His favourite toy at the moment is a small red train, he is ignoring the large Playmobil and imaginext sets he got for his birthday!

OP posts:
mummmsy · 07/06/2012 21:06

then i sell them and buy more with the money!

BsshBossh · 07/06/2012 23:07

We too have one DD, only grandchild in entire family, no more DC. I'm fine with sending stuff to charity or to friends' DC. DD (4) will mention toys I've given away occasionally but is easily distracted so she doesn't go on about them. The most effective thing I've done is to redistribute toys across the homes of two sets of grandparents and her aunt. Also, this year my mum bought DD birthday toys but kept them at her home so DD gets to play with them at hers. I also pack up loads of toys and rotate them every few weeks or months and DD is used to that.

JayelleBee · 07/06/2012 23:33

Haven't you seen Toystory? This thread is barbaric Shock

MarySA · 07/06/2012 23:37

I wouldn't be pleased if I found a toy I'd given a child as a present was ebayed because he had too many toys. Put some in the loft and then take them out again.

mumnotmachine · 07/06/2012 23:55

I would be ruthless, I'm sorry to say
I have found if the kids have too many things they dont really play with stuff, if they have less they can concentrate better.

I halved my sone stuff last year (although he is 9 so not so much in the way of toys) and hes been much better with concentration

Some of the more expensive stuiff I would check on ebay to see how much it goes for, but make sure you have all the bits
NCT sales are really good as well
Bootsales will shift stuff quickly if you not expecting too much for it, I have found people are reluctant to part with more than about 2 quid for stuff!

Dont feel guilty about stuff people have bought as presents- you have no room for guilt!

mumnotmachine · 07/06/2012 23:57

And the stuff he is currently too young for stick in the loft

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