Christmas shopping, Toys, and Pet Peeves
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
October 29, 2007 8:32am CST
I got to thinking about the toys my children receive every year for Christmas, other holidays, and their birthdays. Ever since my first child was born, (8 years ago) I have tried my best to make it a point that if it required batteries it wasn't going to be allowed in my house. I mean, really, why should a stuffed cat actually purr? Cars make their own "Vroom Vroom" sound? Or, the "Doodle Doug", that draws for you, you just pick the color ink. What's that all about?
Grandmas have tried to buy books that make noise. (I have never really understood this concept. Why must books have buttons and talk back? It just has never made sense to me.) I'll let you know, that these books get left at the Grandma's houses. Grandma can deal with the noise.
Over the years, I of course made allowances. We have a horse that winnies, and gallops on its own. My son has a hot wheel race track that includes a gorilla that crushs and eats the cars. (I will admit this is pretty fun.) But, in reality, the toys my kids play with most are the simple toys. Simple stuffed animals. Legos (who doesn't love legos!), Lincoln Logs, Building blocks, Little plastic farm animals. AND they do play with the battery operated toys... but only after the I take the batteries out, and they make up their own noises with them!I don't know how many "cat houses" we've made over the years either. A simple cardboard box, paint, glue, and a pair (or 3) of scissors is all that's needed. Our kittys have had some grand castles and I'm sure there are even more castles in their future!You know what? Without batteries, my kids are able to entertain themselves. They don't rely on others to keep them busy. I thought my youngest (3) would be devestated when my kids went back to school earlier this fall because she didn't have anyone to play with. I was wrong. She had a room full of her imgination, and all kinds of activites to play.
So, if you read this, please keep it in mind as you Christmas shop. Kids don't really want the toys to make the noises for them. Sure they are fun at the store (My kids love to punch the buttons) but when they get home, they are lost and forgotten. The blocks are still scattered all over the floor being built into houses, tables, walls (for those hotwheels to jump through) and even Cat castles!Have a great day everyone! :)
3 people like this
7 responses
@redbubbles (329)
• Philippines
30 Oct 07
That's a nice reminder. Yes, I used to buy toys with batteries or remote control but after an hour they're unoperational already. You know kids - they try to see how they work that in turn will get them destroyed. On the one side, it makes them wonder and think and open their minds and creativity why. But when I think of the money I spent for them (since they're more expensive than plastic or simple ones), I have second thought already when they ask for them. Now, I buy them plastic and simple (e.g.farm or zoo animal, soldier toys) ones because just like yours they'll be left scattered all over the place. And you're right, they make their own stories and sounds.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Well, right now, I'm sitting in a pool of animals (stuffed) thinking what are they going to do now? LOL! My daughter had me and my hubby help them dance last evening while she sang her ABC's. It was sooo cute!
I think it's great that your kids "wonder" about things. I don't see anything wrong with that part of it. My hubby still does that with things. The remote control, the battery toys, the dishwasher... LOL! I know that it's an expensive way for them to learn, but if they keep it up, they'll be great at fixing things back up! Maybe, you could make a trip to a thrift shop and find some cheap toys or even electronics (VCR, toaster, etc.) and have them take it apart, and try to put it back together. That in itself is a pretty fun "game." :)
Take care, my dear friend!!
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I agree with you, crematee, the use of a child's imagination should be uppermost when considering toys to buy. We live in a world that is so overridden with technology that some people have forgotten(or never learned) how good it can be to use your imagination. I am from the era when toys were mostly not battery-operated. When my own kids came along I vowed that I would buy them toys that allowed them to use their imaginations also. In a way, it is like stunting their growth when you don't encourage them to use their imaginations.
2 people like this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Thanks worldwise. I really am concerned about the toy makers and if this is their thought... or if they are just in the market of making disposable toys.
It would be a nice thought if everyone would buy nice "ordinary" toys this year... maybe things would be thought through a little bit more.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Nov 07
Today all of the 'imagination' is taken away from children or at least the manufacturers are trying to. So many children have no idea what to do when the power is out, the batteries die, or they don't have their box full of entertainment on hand.
I can't say I've ever 'banned' batteries but I certainly have encouraged making the most of what's available. LOL summer before last we lost power for a few hours in the middle of the day - he had a friend over who looked very confused as Shane ran around the house collecting candles, oil lamps, and the old Scrabble game (kind in a box with wooden letters). This is family tradition - when the lights go out the game comes out and we play by candle light. We didn't need the candles in the middle of the day but that was what Shane was used to doing and we played for a couple hours. At least until he realized the rain was just a sprinkle and they could go out on the front porch and make fun of the cars stranded in traffic because of the signal lights being out.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
29 Jan 08
yep, those noises can be so aggravating, I would much rather my child imitate the noises for play.... it is more mind developing for them and much more pleasant on my ears! I think the books are to get the parent off the hook of having to read or entertain the child themselves. too bad really.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I'm so lucky that my kids are all grown ups now and I don't have to deal with all of that but I remember it so well. My sister in laws kids were the same ages as mine and we didn't really like each other. I lived on the 2nd floor and she lived on the 3rd floor of our mother in laws house. Every year at Christmas we would try to out do each other in getting each others kids the most obnoxious, loud or had the most pieces toys we could just to be mean to each other. It was a sick thing to do now that I think of it! You are right in cautioning people about watching what they buy for kids today. I hope they take heed!
2 people like this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
31 Oct 07
LOL! That is too funny! My sister started giving noisy toys to my kids, and I told her that for everyone she bought for my house, I'd by 5 for hers. Funny, they stopped. HA HA HA!
1 person likes this
@CoffeeWoman (24)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I agree! My niece and nephew (3 and 2, respectively) have tons of toys - perhaps literally tons. They beep and play music and sing and make all sorts of noises. And, yes, the kids do play with them. I've noticed, however, that they gravitate to the toys that DON'T make noise. Train tracks, doll houses, balls, books - these seem to draw them more. I've always encouraged imagination when I play with them - PlayDoh and coloring books are favorites. No battery operated piece of plastic can possibly provide the enjoyment, unpredictability and education that the imagination can produce.
Now, if only I could convince my sister that children DO NOT NEED a TV or DVD in a car...
@creematee (2810)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Those kids sound like they know what they want! It's funny watching them at play.
Now, my kids do have a portable DVD player in the car. IT only gets used on those LONG trips (3 hours or more.) Still, their favorite pasttime while riding is listening to Mommy read (right now it's the Land of Oz books) while Daddy drives. :)
@Zaphenath (102)
• Philippines
28 Dec 07
Its the best part of celebrating christmas. Christmas is for kids.
