Kids need to be told no sometimes. Even if the penguin was something you found on the ground on the way home, you're still allowed to place that boundary. Just because someone wants something, that doesn't mean they'll get it.
My nephew cried for 10 minutes because I wouldn't give him the penguin plush off my backpack, and now my whole family thinks I'm a monster. It wasn't just 'a toy.' This little penguin was a gift from a close friend who lives far away, given right before he left. It's a reminder of him, always on my bag, and it means a lot to me.
My 8-year-old nephew saw it and wanted it. I said no, but offered to get him a similar one. He started sobbing, saying 'but this one is already my friend!'๏ฟผ Then the adults started giving me strange looks. My mom quietly told me it was 'just a toy on a bag' and my sister later said I made him cry over a 'stupid plush toy' and could have just given it to him. Excuse me? It just makes me so mad that my personal, meaningful gift became 'just a toy' simply because the adults found it uncomfortable to hear a child cry. Why do I have to give up something important to me to avoid family drama? I love my nephew, but that penguin stays with me.๏ฟผ