People collect all sorts of things.
But what was once popular for generations—teacups, spoons, postage stamps, coins—can be replaced by the latest fad pretty quickly in the digital age. Then that fad will be just as quickly replaced by something else.
Beanie Babies are a prime example of something that was a huge fad, but is now just a cautionary tale of collecting as an investment.
But one thing that could have helped keep Beanie Babies popular would have been doing crossovers with other collectibles.
For example, Funko figures appeal to people who collect just Funko. But they also appeal to people who collect items from the different fandoms the products feature. Lego is another product that does cross promotion well.
Serious collectors can get very attached to their things. But what if someone decided they wanted one of their prized collectibles?
A mom dealing with a demanding sister turned to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit for feedback.
Virtual_Rule_3256 asked:
“AITA for not giving away my child’s rare backpack?”
The original poster (OP) explained:
“My 13-year-old daughter has been obsessed with Loungefly backpacks for the last 3 years. Everyone has bought some for her.”
“She probably has 50 or so and is constantly showing them off. She has a large following on Instagram and TikTok showing off her bags.”
“I monitor her activities and help her post. She does not even have access to the accounts on her own.”
“My sister Stevie just started dating this man who has a daughter Zoey who is 15. Stevie has had financial issues due to her lifestyle habits.”
“I believe her boyfriend is in the same boat, but both are recovering.”
“However, Zoey has a birthday coming up and Stevie wanted me to give her one of my daughter’s bags that she saw on Instagram because it is Zoey’s favorite character and the bag has been discontinued.”
“She showed me the price on eBay. It’s about $500 and Zoey really wants that bag. The thing is, it was one of my daughter’s first bags and she also loves that character.”
“It’s the ghost dog from Nightmare Before Christmas.”
“It’s cute. I think we actually bought it in a store or something instead of online. It was at retail price then.”
“My daughter just recently showed it off saying it’s her favorite. She was obsessed with that movie and had it on repeat for years.”
“It’s also my daughter’s property and it’s not like I can just give away her things.”
“I told her I would split the cost of a new bag for Zoey if that’s what my sister wanted since she’s short of funds, but my sister insisted I should give Zoey the rare bag and put Zoey on my daughter’s TikTok.”
“I told her the TikTok is my daughter’s project, and I’m not putting Zoey on it. I have had this conversation with my youngest children, who are 7 & 10—their sister doesn’t have to include them in a video if she doesn’t want to.”
“My sister thinks I’m being selfish about the bag and not including Zoey on her ‘Famous TikToks’. Unfortunately, this is normal behavior for her.”
“I told my sister she’s being ridiculous, and we have never even met Zoey, and making these demands is ridiculous. My sister said I and my daughter are spoiled and bougie and she will never ask for my help again.”
“My mother understands and sided with my daughter and I, so my sister made a big TikTok about cutting toxic family members off. It’s kind of ridiculous of her and I’m not talking to her now.”
“My mom told her that she needs to apologize for this. My sister acts like I’m bullying her and Zoey, but, again, I have never even met this teenager.”
The OP summed up their situation.
“I know my sister doesn’t have the same money situation as I do and it’s hard for her to find something nice in her price range for Zoey.”
Redditors weighed in by declaring:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Redditors decided the OP was not the a**hole (NTA).
“NTA. It’s not even your bag to give away.”
“Your daughter doesn’t know this girl, and she loves the bag and that character, so it seems unlikely that she would wish to give it away, especially to someone she doesn’t know.”
“You were very generous in your offer to split the cost of buying a bag so Zoey could have a bag of her own.”
“Of course, families vary, but I would not have thought that ‘child of your sibling’s new boyfriend’ is someone you would normally be expected to buy gifts for, other than perhaps a small gift if they are joining the wider family for Christmas or if you are invited to their birthday party.”
“Your sister is being greedy and entitled.”
“If her relationship flourishes and your daughter gets to know Zoey, then, of course, she may choose to include her on Insta or TikTok, but it is bizarre to expect her to include a random person she’s never met.” ~ ProfessorYaffle1
“‘My sister said I and my daughter are spoiled and bougie and she will never ask for my help again’. Well, then it’s a win-win for you and your daughter.”
“Your sister doesn’t respect you or your daughter. So you just saved yourself half the cost of the backpack you offered to pay for. NTA.” ~ GirlDad2023_
“You have the right to be bougie with YOUR MONEY that YOU EARNED. Stevie was being incredibly entitled.”
“Also, good on you (and your mom) for knowing that it’s wrong and protecting your daughter. I hate the ‘but we are faaaaamily’ complaints.”
“We may be family, but I’m not going to supplement your lifestyle, and I don’t expect you to supplement mine unless you just want to. NTA.” ~ Callmeang21
“NTA, but your sister is a doozy of one. You are correct in that it is your daughter’s property to do with as she pleases.”
“Your sister can ask, but needs to accept whatever answer she gets. She believes she is entitled to other people’s things. She is not.”
“You are lucky if she doesn’t contact you again if this is her behavior. She needs to earn to get what she wants.”
“You are being MORE than generous by offering to contribute to an expensive purchase for a kid you don’t even know. You’re better than I.” ~ Ducky818
“‘It’s also my daughter’s property and it’s not like I can just give away her things’. OP you are right, it’s not your thing to give away.”
“It’s your daughter’s thing to give away if she wants to. If Stevie wants to buy a $500 bag for her boyfriend’s daughter, then she can do that.”
“NTA, OP, I think your sister has become an entitled person. She’s not entitled to your daughter’s stuff.”
“I would also keep an eye on her when she’s around your house. Entitled people usually have only two views—what’s beneath them and their own reflection.”
“I get the feeling that if she is over at your house, she may attempt to steal your daughter‘s bag.”
“Also, when your sister says that she will never ask for your help again, I’d be like ‘oh, you promise?’.” ~ Yo-KaiWatchFan2102
“NTA. Given the number of posts we see where parents have given away their children’s stuff because ‘you’re too old for that’ or ‘I thought you didn’t care about that anymore’ or even ‘you have 49 other backpacks, don’t be selfish!’, I commend you for being a responsible parent who doesn’t steal from your child.” ~ TheFilthyDIL
“NTA. The backpack belongs to your daughter, so it’s not yours to give away. Your sister’s boyfriend’s kid is certainly not entitled to it just because she wants it, whether it is one of your daughter’s favorites or not.”
“And you don’t have to split the cost of a bag for this kid just because your sister is throwing a tantrum. And this kid is certainly not entitled to be on your daughter’s TikTok channel.”
“Your sister is being crazy entitled, probably because she is in the first glow of her relationship and wants to show off to her boyfriend and the kid. Your sister needs to listen to your mother, stop acting like a love-sick teenager, and grow up.” ~ bamf1701
“NTA. Yeah, insulting both you AND your daughter will magically make you want to give her the backpack.”
“The backpack belongs to Zoey. Just because they are family doesn’t obligate Zoey to give them HER backpack. They can save up and buy their own.” ~ Stranger0nReddit
“NTA. Your sister isn’t entitled to your daughter’s property no matter what her reason is.” ~ AuspicaDarkmagic
“NTA. That bag probably means a lot to your daughter. You can’t just give away her stuff. You offered a solution, but your sister rejected it. You have done your part.” ~ WastedTrojan
“Well, at least you don’t have to worry about your sister asking for favors. NTA. Sister is trying to score points with the new guy and his kid.”
“The fact that you were willing to shell out money on a kid you never met shows you do care about your sister. Even though she is too blinded by jealousy to see it.” ~ Fragrant-Hyena9522
No is a complete sentence.
OP has been more than generous, offering to split the costs of a new bag with her sister. There’s nothing more she needs to do.