to actually take notice of the recommended age on toys?

[ceebee74]

I have always thought that the recommended age on toys is there for a reason (i.e. for safety reasons, or even that the child wouldn't know how to play with it) - what do others think?

DH's cousin bought DS (18 mo) a toy for age 3+ for Christmas - MIL thought I was being petty in saying that it was inappropriate (we have had this argument before as she keeps trying to buy DS 3+ toys).

AIBU??

That's true. I am always removing polly pocket shoes from Lo's mouth and the other day there were seven Hama beads in his poo.

Washersaurus - That duck is hilarious, sorry, but very wrong I agree.

Forgive me for not reading the whole thread. I was about to say YABU but then I saw this it was the Postman Pat van. My DD got this at about age 1. She used to fly into a rage because she couldnt get Pat and Jess in the van (didnt have the dexterity but knew what she wanted to do). I even used to struggle.

Anyway, one day (when she was about 2) the angry fairy came and took said van away (gave away on freecycle) and it was never seen again.

So, depends on child and the toy but for the dreaded postman pat van imo YANBU

funky - lol at that. I too have experienced the rage of DS when Pat and Jess are stuck in the van and he can't get them out.

Unfortunately (for me), his favourite new thing to do with it now is to give me both Pat and Jess and expect me to sing the theme tune to him whilst Pat and Jess dance on my knee.....just cos I did it once - silly silly me, I will learn not to do anything fun soon

"It is one thing for parents to decide what their children can or cannot play with - but another to make that decision for someone else's child".

I completely, completely agree with you. I think it is one thing to say "MY 18 month old doesn't put things in his mouth and I will supervise him so I judge that that toy is OK" and quite another to say, "This child who I can't know as well as my own probably doesn't put things in his mouth, and his parents will have to take responsibility for supervising play all the time, but I am prepared to take the risk". I would also think twice about giving a gun type toy to a young boy and a barbie to a little girl (pre-schooler) as I would be concerned that they wouldn't fit into the parent's parenting ethos although I wouldn't be that bothered about my children playing with these things.

A lot of 3+ toys are fine for under 3's. Manufactirers put this on boxes to cover thir backs. You just have to check there are not any small parts.

i have a 3yo and a 20mth old...obv he was not even 18mths when she was born...but as she got older his toys got older and she's been playing 3y+ toys since she could crawl and help herself to them....and to be honest for xmas this year we didn't get her a single toy for under 3yo!! she got a my little pony kingdom thingy (as she's mad on them) she got dora stuff etc....she loves it, and she's used to smaller bits so never puts a thing in her mouth anymore....well not since about 10mths..... you tend to go OTT on whats suitable with your first, but your second you just learn to watch them when playing with other dc's toys and they learn not to mouth everything!!