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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nana brings own baby toys

78 replies

Spotsandstripes1 · 22/03/2019 09:32

I really don't know if IABU or not.

I have a 1 year old girl. Ever since she was born, her Nana visits every week or two. Each time she brings a bag of toys to play with baby. And then takes the toys home again each time. AIBU to think this is odd? They are different toys each week and the baby enjoys playing with them. So I'm not going to stop her, but wondered if other people's parents did this or if it's a bit strange? We obviously have toys here at home!

OP posts:
MustStopSnacking28 · 22/03/2019 09:35

I actually think this is quite nice, we don’t have loads of toys as DS doesn’t need them yet but my mum has all my old stuff at her house which she has been sorting and cleaning for him. I just see it as a winner that he has some different stuff to play with. I guess she doesn’t bring them here but it wouldn’t bother me if she did.

Sirzy · 22/03/2019 09:35

I wouldn’t say it’s unusual. But I wouldn’t see it as a problem. It’s nice for them to have their things I guess.

No different from having a toy box at Nanas house really

Alsohuman · 22/03/2019 09:36

It’s not usual but it is quite sweet in a way. It’s a bit like my mum used to keep toys at her place that were never allowed home, that made them a bit special.

BertrandRussell · 22/03/2019 09:37

Good for babies to have variety.

Why do you think,it might be a problem?

TheYoungOffendersMum · 22/03/2019 09:37

It's actually very good for your baby. When my youngest was small, I kept different toys in different buckets and took different ones out on different days. So I don't think it's a bad thing that your DCs nan does this.

BlueMerchant · 22/03/2019 09:38

I think it's strange to bring toys and take them back home. Why not either leave them for baby or keep them for baby to play with at her house when you visit?

BertrandRussell · 22/03/2019 09:38

“It’s not usual but it is quite sweet in a way. It’s a bit like my mum used to keep toys at her place that were never allowed home, that made them a bit special.”

Yes- my mum did this too. Dd still has one of them in her room. She’s 23!

MellowMelly · 22/03/2019 09:39

Well I haven’t heard of this before but thinking outside the box here, perhaps she is doing it so the little one associates her in a positive way with new toys and little one won’t get bored of them because she only sees them when Nana visits?

Beamur · 22/03/2019 09:41

I think this is very smart from your Mum. Your baby will enjoy the variety, your Mum gets the pleasure of buying things for her GC and it doesn't clutter up your house. Win win all round.

Beamur · 22/03/2019 09:42

Sorry, I've assumed Nana is your Mum, but you haven't said that.

blamethecat · 22/03/2019 09:57

Bit odd but I guess it does no harm, I guess she has bought the toys herself (or kept them from her own children?) and doesn't want them to not be payed with. (My mil used to look after ds and changed him into her own clothes as soon as we left him with her)

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 22/03/2019 10:04

There's nothing wrong with it. As they get older and toys gets bigger it may be a bit more difficult.

NorthEndGal · 22/03/2019 10:05

So you don't have to pay for them, or store them, and your child enjoys it....
Struggling to see the issue really?

Mammajay · 22/03/2019 10:05

I would expect Nana to explain to you why she does it and check you are OK with it.

RChick · 22/03/2019 10:07

I actually like the idea. Your baby gets new toys to play with, without you having to store them or telling nana to stop filling your house with tat!

KnitterOfSocks · 22/03/2019 10:09

That sounds like an awesome plan! More toys, no extra clutter!

ApolloandDaphne · 22/03/2019 10:10

I think it is a great idea. Children enjoy new experiences and your DD will have great positive connections with seeing her nana and having new fun things to play with. Plus, if she ever visits her nana then those toys will be there for her to play with so you won't need to take any.

Connieston · 22/03/2019 10:12

It sounds lovely! A new surprise each time!

Hamsternauts · 22/03/2019 10:15

I would have been happy with this. Dc would have had variety which is good for them but they wouldn't be taking up space in my house

Hamandcrispsandwich · 22/03/2019 10:16

My friends mum used to do this when she visited her DGD.

It's because she lived near a toy library and when her DGD was born, she signed up for a card, so whenever she was due to visit, she'd take a different toy from the library and return it the day after.

I thought it was great and wish I lived near a toy library!

Maryann1975 · 22/03/2019 10:16

I’m going to go against the grain and say I think it’s a bit weird. Whilst I like that she isn’t filling your house with more stuff by bringing toys to leave at your house, if she is bringing different things to your house each time, why is she filling her own house with baby toys that are only so rarely played with?

FaFoutis · 22/03/2019 10:18

It is a lovely idea. Good for the child and it shows she cares.

AlexaAmbidextra · 22/03/2019 10:21

I would expect Nana to explain to you why she does it and check you are OK with it.

But why? What possible nefarious motive could she have? She’s not bringing the child a wrap of crack cocaine ffs.

BertrandRussell · 22/03/2019 10:21

“I would expect Nana to explain to you why she does it and check you are OK with it.“

Why?

burgundyjumper · 22/03/2019 10:23

It won't be all that long before your dd starts to get upset when the toys she has been playing with get taken away from her, especially if she gets particularly fond of any of them. What will Nana do then? Will she continue to take them away (and quite possibly instigate huge tantrums), or let her keep them?

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