Adult son sells childhood toys on eBay, after his parents keep dropping them off at his house for his kids, when his mother discovers this, she donates his valuable Pokémon collection and cuts contact: 'I feel like I destroyed our relationship'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Jan 27, 2026 3:00 PM EST

What is sentimental to some may just be a cash prize for others…

We go through many phases within our childhood that highlight growth…From the toys we play with to the clothes we wear. Each belonging represents a milestone or memory from our most formative years. So there is no question as to why many parents find such belongings to be ever so sentimental. I mean, I'd imagine I would too. 

Now, we're not recommending anyone turn their home into a hoarder's paradise, but if you have the opportunity to hold onto a few tangible memories from your children's childhoods, we don't see the problem with doing so!

That being said! There is definitely a limit when it comes to "holding on too tight", especially when it seems to be taking up your entire guest bedroom…and slipping its way into the corridor…This is when one may have a slight issue! I'm sure the most important items could fit within a shoebox or two in the back of the closet. And if not? You could do what these elderly parents have done, and start returning all the valuable belongings to their children, so that they can pass them down to their kids…

However, we're not so sure every grandchild is so eager to play with "GIJoes from the 80's", which could result in your very own child selling all their childhood toys on eBay to avoid the clutter…Now that's got to hurt!

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  • This man's parents keep “delivering” his childhood toys, clothes, and games to his house, insisting that his kids will enjoy them. But unfortunately, this isn't the 1980s, and his children are far less interested in playing old NES games, or wearing clothes that are 35+ years old…On top of that, he simply does not have the space to store all of these “sentimental” items. So instead, he takes the entrepreneurial route and begins selling them on eBay instead! Pleasantly surprised by how much some of his vintage belongings are actually worth! 

    When his elderly parents get wind of this, they freak out! His mother begins claiming ownership of the items and threatens to donate what remains to the local church…Leaving him feeling guilty, as the argument has kept his parents quiet and distant for over a week!

  • Man writing on a package that he is going to ship
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITA for selling my old toys on eBay, against my parents wishes?

    My (40M) parents (70s) have been going through my childhood room. Every time they visit, they bring a minivan full of 1980s vintage toys, clothes, music instruments, text books from the 90s, old books, video games, etc.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • They are always excited to say that MY kids will love to play with them. Or love wearing the clothes.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • Or learn to play the instruments. Or play the video games. My kids simply aren't interested in playing with GIJoes from the 80s.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • Or G1 transformers. Or playing with instruments from my elementary school days. Or wearing 30-35 year
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • Or playing old NES games. We have a small single story house. Very small attic. No basement.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • And there's literally nowhere to put all of this stuff from my childhood. And the kids are only interested in toys and clothes that THEY pick out around their birthday and holiday.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • A bunch of vintage toys
    via moisescu-florentinas-images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • So, I started looking on eBay. Some of these toys and video games are worth WAY more than I thought, so I started selling things one after another.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • And the clothes I ended up donating. Apparently acid washed jeans aren't in style anymore. On the next trip, my parents started wondering where all my old childhood stuff went, so I told them I started selling things on eBay because we don't have the room and the kids aren't interested.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • This made my mother livid that I would do that against her wishes to give my childhood to my kids.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • In her mind, those toys were bought by HER (for my birthdays) and SHE owns them.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • She said that anything else that's left in my room will be given away to the church.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • You know what stinks about that? My old Pokémon and magic collection is still there... the church is about to get dozens of mint first run cards.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • I feel like I destroyed our relationship with this move and it's got me down. They've always been there for me and my kids, but there hasn't been a text or call from them in weeks.
    via Expensive_Tie206
  • hypotheticalkazoos INFO: how far is the drive? go get those cards TOMORROW
    via hypotheticalkazoos
  • Outside-Leek-5045 You are not wrong. You are resourceful. Your parents are a bit controlling. NTA
    via Outside-Leek-5045
  • A distressed elderly woman sitting outside
    via pp1011011

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Lighthouse_on_Mars Go grab your pokemon cards. Tell them you collected them and it's the only thing your kids might be interested in.
    via Lighthouse_on_Mars
  • Regular_Boot_3540 So she wanted to unload all of this old junk on you, and she thought she had a say over what you did with it? That's ridiculous. NTA. Go get your Pokemon cards if you really want them.
    via Regular_Boot_3540
  • GeorgeGorgeou NTAH These items were gifts to you. From that birthday onward, they were yours. And you can do whatever you want with YOUR stuff. I would drive over and get your cards..
    via GeorgeGorgeou
  • sailormufasa NTA. Go get those cards NOW!!!
    via sailormufasa
  • xMissing Music NTA, and that's your stuff. Gifts are yours, doesn't matter if she paid for them. You could technically go after her for theft (though they would DEFINITELY view you as an AH for that). Maybe try to have a compassionate conversation, acknowledge her hurt feelings but maintain what you've said. Your kids weren't interested so you sold your stuff. Nothing wrong with that.
    via xMissingMusic

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Pokémon sentimental sold-online vintage toys special children
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