I 16F have a 3 year old little sister, who is the youngest and often gets whatever she wants. My parents are demanding i give my sister my American Girl dolls and all their clothes and accessories. If you know anything about American girl dolls you know that the doll itself is pretty expensive not to mention any accessories like chairs or a pet can get pretty costly as well. I have 13 American Girl dolls including two that share my name, i don’t want to give them up, since they were special gifts from my grandpa who has passed away. Every year one of my main gifts from him would be an American girl doll and accessories. My parents argue that since don’t play with them anymore I should pass them to my sister who would play with them, however i know if give them to her they will get destroyed and not properly taken care of .They are one of my last keepsake memories form my grandpa and are also more expensive then when I got them. So AITA for refusing to give them to my little sister?
As someone who has a big sister just like you – 13 years older – you do not need to give your things to her. I love my oldest sister and treasure her and she never gave up herself for me. She taught me my most influential lessons!
Edit to add: NTA!
Nta. You have sentimental value in those dolls. Keep them.
NTA.
However do you have a relative or other adult you trust who would be willing to keep the dolls for you? Because you know doggone well that your parents are going to simply take them.
Good luck, OP. My daughter would be absolutely savage if someone tried to get her to give up her American Girl dolls — and she’s in her 30s!
Absolutely NTA! AG dolls are expensive collectibles. There is no way I would let a 3 year old anywhere near them. If you have one you’re not particularly attached to, maybe that one could be designated for little sister to play with, but only together with you. Or not. Your dolls, your call.
Don’t give anything that has sentimental values. Especially in this case, if your sister does something wrong (unintentionally) with the doll then things will not be the same between you two, forever.
NTA.
They were a gift to you. They belong to you.
You should feel no obligation to pass them down.
And that they have sentimental value should mean something to your parents. Did you explain that to them?
Nta. I’m still pissed my mom got rid of MY madam Alexander dolls. And I’m 56. I’d do like other suggested. Place them in the care of a trusted friend or relative.
NTA. Tell them you’re saving them to pass down to your own children one day and don’t want to risk them being damaged.
Get them somewhere safe.
NTA Those were gifts to you. Tell them to go buy her one.
I would tend to believe that they are far safer NOT in the house where a toddler can find them. If you have a trusted adult or family member, perhaps putting them in in storage for a bit would be safest (like someone’s attic).
NTA. I’d say they are gifts and collectibles and your property. It’s no one choice in how they are handled except for you.
NTA but if you have someone you trust I would give the dolls to them to hold for you. I don’t put it past your parents to try and give them to her anyway.
NTA.
You’re getting very good advice from everyone else here.
Can I suggest one more thing that won’t solve your problem permanently, but **might buy you a little time** while you work out how to get your dolls stored safely somewhere else?
Your sister is 3. Many toys are labelled “age 4+”, because when children are younger than that, they can’t be trusted not to swallow small parts or shove them up their nose or whatever.
I’m not American, but have just been to the American Girl website, and sure enough, almost everything there is labelled either 4+, 6+, or even 8+. Very little is suitable for children younger than 4.
So you can shut that conversation down right now by telling your parents “She’s too young. The toys are a safety hazard for her”.
And then you’ll have time to think about where you’re going to store them long term so that neither she nor your parents can get their hands on them.