Neighbors Don't Return Toys

Updated on July 09, 2010
E.O. asks from Long Beach, CA
3 answers

My kids get along with our neighbors pretty well, even though mine are much younger. We are all very friendly. However, many of our toys end up at their house and we never get them back. I routinely round up their belongings and return them to them, but they don't return the favor. I have made it a rule that our toys are no longer allowed out of the house, but I don't know how to get all the toys back that are at their house. I have mentioned it to their mom, but she either brushes it off or asserts that it is theirs. I feel odd asking "can I come in and round up all our toys and take them back". Especially since she doesn't seem to have any idea if it's ours or theirs. And I feel like I have mentioned it before, but I'm always brushed off. She has actually told me that toys that I remember lending to them weren't ours! I'm not sure what to do. I don't want it to be a fight, but I don't want to spend money on toys never to see them again. And I feel slightly that my daughter is being taken advantage of because she is so much younger than them.

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

It may be too late for the toys that are already gone...but from now on write your surname in indelible ink in an inconspicuous spot and a very visible spot. When she asserts a toy is theirs you can point out where you've written your name on the toys that belong at your house. If it's written in two spots, there's a smaller chance of her getting rid of all the ID on the toy. Sorry this happened, not everyone is nice, though I'm not too sure why someone would want *more* toys....they seem to multiply like rabbits!

7 moms found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

This is one of those times in life when you have to show your daughter how to stand up for herself by standing up for yourself. Get into practice now, because thing like this keep happening in life until you learn to be forceful. If you're like me, you hate confrontation and are very polite, only to be taken advantage of. Like me until a few years ago that is, when I decided to be be audacious enough to stick up for myself. Now I love to have the opportunity to put people in their place when it's justified.

Call her on the phone and say, "Hey, hi, I'm coming over to gather any toys you have there which are my daughter's, what is a good time for you? I've seen the such and such and so and so we bought at Target...(wherever-specify so she can't say, 'nothing here is yours..') and I'll just scoop up whatever else while we're there. Are you busy right now?"

If you think this person (who seems pretty horrid already) is weird enough to run around and hide stuff before you come, you can just show up at the door and do it with the statement (not apology) that you guys need all her stuff together. So what if she ends up feeling like you're at fault somehow. You aren't. And the feelings of someone as rude as she is really shouldn't phase you. You'll feel better, believe me, take a deep breath and go for it!

I want to add, she's being a bully. Show her you are not scared of her. Other things could happen down the road as neighbors if she thinks they can get away with something as ridiculous as taking your stuff. If you go take the stuff and fight a little bit in the process as she tries to keep it, she'll feel like you're stealing from her...which is good. Get on her level so you aren't the victim. You're only taking what's yours.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with last poster it may be hard to get them back. What you could do is write a note with a list of the toys. And then tell her that your looking for all of these and that your little ones said her children "borrowed" them last time they played. the writing your name in 2 spots is good. I used to write my sons name on all of his clothing both in the neck and then also inside the pants on the pocket. that way at camp and playtime his name was on them very clearly to see. when my kids were little a bike got stolen. we found it and the person said there is no name on this bike. see. and sure enough the name had been scratched out on the bar. but my husband turned the bike upside down and there was our kids name written in the bottom of the seat. boy was that other family embarrassed to have been caught with the stolen bike.

1 mom found this helpful
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