Unsuitable toy?

[Gonnagetgoing]

So my brother bought a toy his son (3.5 years old) has wanted for ages as he saw another cousin last year with it (Batman transformers robot).

However since he got it on Christmas Day he’s been only wanting to play with this toy, ignoring all other toys he got and is more into fighting with it partly because of what it does which is fight a lot.

It caused a big fight with DB and SIL on Boxing Day as she doesn’t think he’s old enough for it.

What would you do? What to do? He’s an only child for now and has a tendency to be spoiled but is now with his cousins as was with just adults Christmas week and Boxing Day.

It really doesn't matter what the toy is. If a child whacks someone with it, they get told "NO!" and the toy is taken away for the rest of the day.

The following day, they are given it back and told that there is to be no hitting or the toy will be taken away again. And follow it through.

I don't have a problem with a 3yo having a batman toy, but I would absolutely be guiding a dc away from needlessly violent games and towards heroics.

3 is old enough to know that hitting the cat is a huge deal and if he did this more than once I would take the toy away - that is totally unacceptable.

So his Dad brought him a toy without his Mom knowing and they argued over it because he's being a bit rough with it? There's no other kids there to play with and the adults don't really want to. He's gone now and you've chosen to not see more of them over Xmas because of how they parent him? Seems like the situation resolved itself then.

So you want to take away the one toy he's overwhelmed with joy over??

If a toy is suitable or not its up to the parents to jointly decide. Its very normal for an excited 3 year old to not want to play by himself, would you just want to sit by yourself and not chat to other adults over Christmas? Again it normal, especially for a child in full time nursery, to sleep with their parents.

I think you maybe a bit naive about the realities of having children which is fine for someone who doesn’t have children.

First it’s about the toy, but now it isn’t but rather about your brother’s and SIL’s parenting? Can a 3.5y old only child, can’t be given attention by his parents, if they want to?

I googled the toy you mentioned and it’s stated as suitable for 3+

The parents should be happy they gave him one thing he really wanted and is actually playing with. It’s only two days after Christmas Day. What’s wrong with not playing with other toys? He should be guided in play so he doesn’t hurt others but I don’t see the issue at all.
The toy is not a “violent toy”. He might be playing with it violently.

My DS has never been interested in toys like that but I don’t see the issue at all.

If my child hit a cat with a toy said toy would be straight in the bin. But everyone parents differently. Either way it's not up to you.