To think children have far too many toys nowadays

[atthewelles]

Remember the days when your toys all fitted into a drawer instead of requiring an entire playroom, all to themselves? And you played with most of them everyday and loved them to bits and thought they all had personalities, even the toy cars? And how imaginative you had to be because a lot of things had to double up as something else eg your doll's cot became a cage when you were playing 'Zoos', or the bucket from your bucket and spade set became a soldier's hat when you were playing 'Wars'.
Nowadays playrooms are stacked high with toys that kids play with a couple of times and throw in a corner and that break if you look at them; and everything has a switch that makes it move and talk and flash lights at you; and Barbie doesn't need you to make her a wedding dress and veil out of tissue paper because you can buy wedding Barbie (and ice skating Barbie and gymnast Barbie and nurse Barbie and.....).

AIBU to think that children would be better off with a few well loved and worn toys and left to use their imagination a bit more when it comes to maximising the fun they get from using these toys, than having everything handed to them cheap, shiny, plastic and no imagination required?

I'm not upset that you're disagreeing with me. A few other posters on this thread also don't agree with me and that's fine.
I just find your attitude quite confrontational and aggressive.

'And the relatives? And the parties - where 25 kids are invited and you end up with 25 presents? And the random crap you get when you go places, like you go for a meal and get given, not a tub of crayons to borrrow, but yet another pack to take home?

Do you lock your doors and not let any of this stuff in the house?'

Yes. I give the stuff away when they're at school or nursery. I don't have parties with 25 kids. I say, 'NO'. I'm the boss, not them.

Of course I'm basing it on my opinion. What are you basing your posts on?

'I particularly hate Barbie dolls. Why children can't just have one Barbie and save up for outfits or make them themselves, rather than buying a ready manufactured Barbie for every occasion, is beyond me.'

Then don't buy them for your children. Because if that's all you have to feel 'sad' about when it comes to children, you lead a very sheltered life.

Where did I say that's all I have to feel sad about. What an insulting statement when you don't know what's gone on in my, or other posters, lives.
Are we not allowed post about anything that we find a bit sad or think is a bit of a pity on here?

My mum grew up pretty well off in the 1940s and 50s. She was an only child from 1941 to 1946, too. It took her mother years to conceive her. Her father, who was brought up with FA but another sibling every year they could ill-afford to feed, was thrilled to be able to give her more than he could ever have dreamed of, and, after the war, her sister. They had loads of toys growing up. As they were 'only two', a small family in the eyes of both their parents, they had a lot.

She's one of the most resourceful people I have ever met.

'Are we not allowed post about anything that we find a bit sad or think is a bit of a pity on here?'

Sure. And others are allowed to post they find it absolutely ridiculous.

The thing is you are making massive sweeping generalisations and see to have very little experience to base that upon.

You seem to be getting defensive about the idea that actually it might not be a problem but seem to be trying to turn it into a "have a go at MrsDevere" rather than trying to put forward any sort of sensible counter argument to back up your view.

My 7 year old DsS has a wii and games for it, Star Wars toys such as light sabers, lots of nice dressing up costumes, and some stuffed animals. He loves his stuffed animals and sleeps with them and plays endless games with them. The light sabers go to the park with him and DH and they play with them for hours. He still gets to use his imagination (which he has plently of) without resorting to wooden toys handcrafted by Dutch Amish carpenters.

He also likes riding his bike and doing arts and crafts with me. We just felt that we are not teaching him the right values by filling up our home with disposable toys that break immediately and get up in a land fill. The money we save on not buying cheap tat has been put towards buying nice toys and games he really likes and wants. Surely this isn't play snobbery?

No I'm not Sirzy. I'm objecting to her aggressive posting.

There are loads of articles and at least one research project that I'm aware of that reflect my view.

But she isn't being agressive!

Mine don't seem to have as many as some kids, and I do regular clear outs. Toys are relatively cheap now though, so it's not surprising kids have more. I remember some Sindy accessories costing £30 - £100 in the 1980s which was a lot more money then. It's not a case of parents being better in the past or something, it's a case of cost.

Sorry, but those light sabers classify as tat to me.

Have clear outs and give away then.

Where did I say it was parents buying the toys or in any way blame them MrsDevere?

"I don't have parties with 25 kids. I say, 'NO'. I'm the boss, not them. "

I have had parties with 25 kids and asked for no presents. Lots of parents said this was a great idea, but no-one else copied it!

My children have lots of toys and yet they are probably the most imaginative 'players' in their whole peer group. It is very difficult to choose things to give away (but we do!) as they play with almost everything, in short phases or bursts. We live very rurally so we don't have swimming, soft play (thank the gods), cinema, etc very often at all so they need to know how to play indoors and out.

I get lots of comments from ILs about the amount of toys they (and other cousins) have, but I have no problem with it. They are not spoiled and they will work for something if they really want it.