Can We Ask for Something Back We Gave Away?

Ehh yea I am inclined to agree that she should have never given it away and that this can be used as a life learning tool. I would not ask for it back. Plus if she works hard to find another one it will mean even more

Once you give something away, you relinquish all claim to it. It is the other person's to do with as they please - they can keep it, give it away, sell it, set it on fire, or drop it in the landfill.

under some circumstances, yes.
in this case, no.
some life lessons are a little tough.
hug her and bake some cookies.
khairete
S.

Life learning lesson for your daughter.She's 13 not 5 and should know that once you gift something it's not yours anymore. I probably would mention to the woman that if in the future she wants to get rid of the dollhouse she should call you because you might want it back for your own grandchildren.

I think that it would be extremely tacky to ask for it back now. Your daughter needs to learn that when you give something away that it no longer belongs to you and you forfeit any future claim to it...

I think you can nicely ask for it back. Just say, I'm really sorry, but my daughter changed her mind about the dollhouse. I know it's tacky to ask for it back, but would you mind?

If the woman is normal and nice, she will say, "Of course, no problem."

Reading below: Tacky, schmacky. She's a kid. Not everything has to be a life lesson. I think you should just nicely ask for it back. It's not that big of a deal.

I hate to ask, but when you are done with doll house, could you hold onto it or send it back this way, my daughter decided she wants to hold onto it for her daughter some day. The ball is in her court. You are not blatantly asking for it back. She may give it back or agree to what you asked.

You gave it away, let it go.

Your daughter will learn to evaluate her decisions more carefully in the future. Do you/she want it back because the woman mentioned it would bring in $$?

I think you and your daughter are trying to justify getting it back by the details of how it won't be used much and if it were to be sold, you prefer to get the $$ out of it because you gave it away.

Chalk it up to a lesson learned. If you are not ready to let something go forever then don't give it away, wait until you are ready.

I would say exactly what you said above: that your daughter changed her mind. Since it is so rare just say you made a mistake and did not realize how much your daughter would miss it. Perhaps be willing to buy the woman a small dollhouse toy for her grand daughter to make up for it.

I think that there is no harm in your DAUGHTER asking for it back. Doesn't mean the other woman will say yes though!
L.

I would take the blame. I'd call the friend and say that I THOUGHT my daughter had put it in a give away pile.

If she says yes, take over a gift card to Toys R Us.

I'd actually talk to the lady and tell her you'll buy something else but that your daughter is missing her dollhouse dreadfully. Offering something in exchange would be polite.

I don't see a problem with saying to her - if you ever decide you don't want the dollhouse anymore, or that it takes up too much space, please let me know. Daughter wishes she had kept it for her kids.

That said, if she ever does say that you can have it back - it might not be in good shape anymore, and there is nothing you can do or say about it.

The only exception would be if this woman was a really close friend. If it's a very close friend, I might explain the situation and make it clear that there were no hard feelings either way.

Yes, she can ask politely. She should just be aware the answer could be no. I do not think asking is a problem. She may think harder about donating something next time. Since the one year old has never seen the dollhouse, I see no issue there.

I would not ask for it back.

I think this is a life lesson, honestly, she's 13 not 5. I just don't think it's ever a good idea to ask for something back that you have already given away, and what the person you gave it to plans to do with it is irrelevant.

Call the friend and say your daughter is upset that you gave it away and need it back. That you will give it back again when your daughter is done with it.

Diane D. All the way.

Painful now, but its lesson has many applications, not just about material things.

You can ask.
You'll get either a yes or no answer.

I totally disagree with any means of asking for it back. It will create awkwardness between you and the woman. Tell you daughter to know that they will take good care of it. Someone offered to buy it and she refused it.

My daughter donated most of her beloved books to my preschool. One week later she realized this was a big mistake and asked if she could have them back. The thing is, I knew it was a mistake and felt that I should have waited before taking them to school. I decided to let her have the books back. She has them now, decades later. My point is: she is a responsible adult who learned a lesson, even though she got the books back. So I wouldn't worry about your daughter learning a lesson , no matter what you decide. You can ask.

It's kind of wishy washy to ask for it back but since she's only 13 I think it's ok. She needs to realize the answer may be "no" tho.

Normally I'd say no, don't ask, but the circumstances leave some leeway.

Take your daughter over and have her be the one to explain and ask for it back. Prep her in advance to be able to accept a 'No' answer gracefully, just in case. If your daughter doesn't want to ask in person, then you should not ask on her behalf. This has to be something she decides to do or not.

I think if she gave it away - lesson learned for your daughter. If you do ask for it back, I would make her do the asking.