No toys downstairs- worried

[Ceci03]

So I visited a new friend who has 2 girls 6 and 4 but there were no toys downstairs. Like none. I'm a bit worried . I did go upstairs and saw a few baby books and they had 2 cuddly toys each on their bunks. I dunno. My kids are older now but I just remember toys everywhere and def in the sitting room maybe try and keep them to a corner. There was just sofa and tv. They watched tv while we chatted . I'd like to get them some toys but am unsure I don't want to offend my friend. I know she struggles financially.

Don't interfere

I am sure she is trying her best

Is she one of those clean freaks that has tidied them all away because they don’t like ‘mess’?

She tidied up because she knew you were coming?

We always tidy up toys away if we have adult visitors without kids. If kids coming too then we leave the toys in the living room.

Yeh probably am overthinking it. Just like literally not a single toy in sight anywhere downstairs. I don't know where they are

Eh? If I've tidied because we have visitors, all the toys are in a cupboard. We tidy the toys away every night because it's our living space too.

We never had toys downstairs or scattered around because the dogs or cats would be at them. They were put away in boxes under bed after play, or at least kept in DDs room.

Maybe she just tidied them away because she knew you were coming?

Why would you need to know where they are though??

It’s more than likely her children have toys.

Not everyone has toys left out all over the floor or living room.

This is so weird. Particularly the ‘oh im
so worried’ angle.

Ah ok but it's a v small place. Where would
The toys be there's no storage downstairs no cupboards in the sitting room. Under the stairs was full of things like shopping bags and general stuff like mops. I was there for 2-3 hours in the afternoon and the children didn't go and get anything to play with

Did you say she is a new friend?

She wont be your friend for long if you keep this up.

Some people don't do toys. I've just been away with friends and their baby and they didn't bring any toys or books for him. He was perfectly happy just toddling around. Wouldn't be my choice but mustn't judge.

You were having a proper snoop 😁

If she struggles financially, might she be pleased to have a few toys and books as little gifts?

Next time you go, you could take some (maybe from the charity shop) and say “I saw these, and wondered if [her DC] might like them?” If she declines, you can take them back to the charity shop for them
to re-sell, so the worst case scenario is that you’ve made a small donation to the charity!

I would imagine she’s tidied for a guest

I think that is incredibly inappropriate, patronising and overstepping the mark

She would no doubt accept, most people would and then think, why on earth has this person, who I dont know that well, bought me this old tat

And then she's left with the issue of what to do with it

I never had toys downstairs for my kids, unless they were actively playing with them at the time.

I'm a witch though, I never introduced my children Lego either, just because I didn't like it!

Well I didn't have any toys downstairs for my dd... but her bedroom was fit to bursting! She did always bring toys down, but if guest came or she was going to bed they would be put away.

We have toys bloody everywhere but DC rarely want to play with them. Younger one is a baby and wants everything but the toys he is meant to play work. Older ones like drawing and colouring and that all gets tidied away.

I'm a bit worried

About what exactly?

You were there for 2 hours and were rummaging around in the under stairs cupboard and the kids rooms and beds?
Very off behaviour for a ‘friend’.

I think OP is worried that the children don’t have any toys because the friend can’t afford them.

Ah come on that's not fair. I couldn't help see under the stars as it's open. I did t examine everything! Just didn't notice any toys! I went upstairs as the girls wanted to show me their room while my friend was making us some coffee.

I've nit had any toys in my front room for the last 2 years ( 8 and 6 now ) and it is so much nicer. They can bring toys down when they want but the toys dont live down here anymore

Some kids dont really play like we did growing up. My 6 year old would happily watch TV/ play on his tablet all evening if I let him, he much prefers them to actual toys or playing outside

Agree with PP that it's weird your so concerned. I dont believe you are, I think this is some sort of shitting on new friend. "I cant believe Jane doesnt have toys for her children" sort of thing

OP, I don't know why everyone is laying into you. I think you sound sincere and it is very unusual to visit a house with little kids and not see any toys/play stuff.