tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post1234370550740294888..comments2008-03-29T12:34:46.494-05:00f.f.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15189780903818004615noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post-91841653574604104122008-03-29T12:34:00.000-05:002008-03-29T12:34:00.000-05:00I had a similar reaction. Does this woman live in a bubble? Had she not aired these complaints to any level-headed person with ears? I couldn't believe no one had set her straight yet!eking outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16552146677223921030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post-70171014615248649822008-03-14T10:54:00.000-05:002008-03-14T10:54:00.000-05:00Considering how hard kids are on their clothes and toys, it might be an issue of not wanting to give things back that are stained, torn, or broken. Plus with probably other family members giving gifts, it'd be safe to say Mom probably can't remember which things were from Aunty and which weren't. <BR/><BR/>Either give it or don't, but once it's given, it's gone.Retehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136573707565684549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post-84095975831461544782008-03-14T09:51:00.000-05:002008-03-14T09:51:00.000-05:00yeah, those? aren't gifts. but having them at her house is the perfect solution - the kids will LOVE them and look forward to playing at auntie's house. then the toys will still be there when and if her own aspirational children show up to play with them, too.ldubnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post-62787607338388453652008-03-13T16:36:00.000-05:002008-03-13T16:36:00.000-05:00Yes. People who give gifts with strings attached are just being controlling, not generous.<BR/><BR/>The SIL should tell the witchy aunt to keep her "gifts". She should also probably limit her children's access to someone so manipulative. <BR/><BR/>If it's truly a gift - once it's given, it's gone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6600547462620775535.post-15485307756763013122008-03-13T16:03:00.000-05:002008-03-13T16:03:00.000-05:00I agree. And your suggestion on keeping things at her house is a good balance. Because I know that toys living at other peoples' houses were always a million times more exciting. I still remember them, like one that our friend Mrs. Brown had. It was just a toy house, but I loved it because I didn't get it often.Mrs. Micahhttp://mrsmicah.comnoreply@blogger.com