Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

My neighbor down the street has bought the house two doors down from us and is in the process of moving.

She texted me asking if she could give my daughter a few of her daughter's old toys (her daughter is now 13). She gave us an old Little Tykes doll house and a bunch of the stuff for it (which I appreciated because it's made in the USA and not the made in China stuff that everything is today).

Anyway, she texted me the next day saying her daughter was very upset because she didn't realize she was giving that stuff away. She doesn't want her daughter to know she's asking, but she'd like to have some of it back. Mostly some of the little people for the house and some of the furniture etc.

I said of course and that I totally understood.

Then, a few days later, she texted me saying when my daughter is done playing with the doll house down the road, rather than me get rid of it, she'd like to have it all back. But again said please not to dare tell her husband and her daughter that she's asked me for any of this. She plans to just put the people and stuff in a keepsake box or something for her daughter until she's older.

At this point, I'd prefer to just give it all back to her now. I'm not upset about it at all, I was a very sentimental kid myself, so I totally understand. I just don't want to worry about the house or any of the pieces getting lost or damaged etc. Plus, I want my daughter's doll house to be her own and not something she will have to give back down the line, if that makes any sense. If I knew she wanted it back down the line, I would have just politely declined accepting it.

Oy! But I'm worried about making this a more awkward situation by insisting she take it all back now. Plus I'm not sure how she'd sneak having the big ol' house back by her husband and daughter.

Message edited 5/7/2014 1:57:55 PM.

Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

You could just say you're happy to give it back now. You'd prefer to do it that way before your own dd gets attached and sentimental over it. I wouldn't overthink this too much

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Id just give it back. She probably wants it back now but feels funny asking. I'm sure she will be happy to get it back and not insulted. Just tell her you know its sentimental and you want her to have it back for her DD and grandchildren and don't want to worry if your DD breaks something.

Message edited 5/7/2014 1:23:55 PM.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

She made it awkward already! Giving it all back now doesn't make it more awkward.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

ITA I would just give it all back.

Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

I'd give ALL of it back. That way there's no more worry or stress.

Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

I agree with everyone else. I'd give it all back too. I think she'd understand if you say you don't want to have to diss appoint your dd by giving it back someday, seeing how sad her dd was to give it away.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

I would give it back.

Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Yup I'd just give it all back too, at this point I would feel weird keeping it all since she's got an attachment to the things.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Buy a set for DD and be like oh I actually saw a beautiful set on sale today so I bought it. I know your set is sentimental so I'm just going to give it back to you.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

I would give it back. She probably wasn't thinking and felt nostalgic after the fact and wants it back. I would tell her that I totally understand and I would rather her have it back for safe keeping.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

Thanks everyone. I let her know I was giving it all back for all the reasons I stated in my op and she seemed a little relieved and grateful. We're all good.

Re: Is there a way to do this that won't come across as rude?

I would pack it all up and give it back. Tell her that by the sounds of it that it meant a lot to her daughter and that you didn't want it to get ruined or worry that something may get lost or stollen.