Probably the wrong place to post this, but posting for traffic. Bit of a daft dilemma really. (Since becoming menopausal the ability to make decisions on simple things has completely bypassed me). Just having a big clear out of DD toys. There lots of things she's too old for and so they need go a new home (she's aware of this and completely agrees). The daft thing is I can't decide where best to give them too and DD doesn't mind either way. She's looked after her toys so they're all likely nearly new. I would normally take them to a charity shop and thing nothing of it but in last few year SIL has had some children (all aged 4 and under).They go to visit PIL 3-4 times a year and don't have huge amounts of toys to play with (MIL gives them pegs and wooden spoons etc which in fairness they seem to enjoy). I'm debating whether I should give them to MIL to keep at her house however a few points: SIL is financially better off than most of us and if she wanted to could buy stuff to keep there (as are PIL), her kids are more destructive than your average toddlers (and don't get told to look after stuff - not a criticism, different parenting style and if they want to destroy their own stuff then thats up to the parents) but I wonder whether DD might be bit 'perturbed' if she were to go up there and she her old things getting trashed. Also SIL has never bothered getting DD so much as a birthday card. I know you don't give to receive but I wonder whether it would then become an expectation that all DDs stuff will be passed to them? On the other hand I think it would be nice for kids to have some proper toys to play with, and thats whats making me so indecisive. MIL is a bit of a horror bag and SIL is another issue and I wonder whether my personal feelings towards them is clouding my judgement. I'm leaning towards a charity shop at mo (called a childrens centre and they won't accept plastic toys and local woman's refuge have too many toys donated from Xmas clear outs). I could sell them as we could do with money but (at risk of sounding like an utter do-gooder) I feel like someone else should benefit from them.
I know this isn't really a problem, I just need a bit of help making right decision. A Few years ago I gave a really large collection of Sylvanian Families worth a lot of money to a friend for their child. It was played with a couple of times, boxed up in garage and then sold for hundreds. I just want to do right thing. (PS before menopause I was really good at making decisions, I've not always been like this!!!)