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Parenting

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Original poster

3 yr old too old for toys and teddies

31 replies

peppajay · 02/03/2012 18:58

I went to a music group with my son, my friend and her daughter today. Her daughter has just turned 3 and as we were leaving I noticed there was a teddy on the side and I said to my friend 'is that ruby's teddy?" and she looked at me shocked and said Ruby is 3 she is far too old for teddies now!! I no they have no plastic cutlery/plates or cups anymore everything is glass and china, the buggy was sold the day after her second birthday and i notice when we go round to hers there is very few toys as she has said before she is too old now for toys! Just seems that they are making her grow up so quickly and my kids still have teddies and toys and we have a buggy in case my 3 yr old gets tired. I just think this little girl is missing out on being 3!! I don't know if I should say something to her or keep my nose out as it is up to her how she brings up her child. Just wondering if it is perhaps me keeping my kids kids too long so wanted other opinions to see what is the norm!!

OP posts:

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PoppadumPreach · 02/03/2012 19:01

she's insane. toys and playing are a vital part of growing up and developing. poor little girl.

I'm going to be gutted when mine don't like their toys anymore.

landladynot4turning · 02/03/2012 19:10

my ds is 4 and really loves his cuddly toys.His favourite teddy goes with him everywhere.

fortyplus · 02/03/2012 19:12

My sons refuse to get rid of their soft toys - they're 16 and 18!

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SparkySparrow · 02/03/2012 19:14

My ds is 4 and still adores his teddy's.
He speaks for them and everything. "Mummy, Bear wants a chocolate"

Toys are a part of being a a child!

IAmSherlocked · 02/03/2012 19:14

DS is 9 and not only does he refuse to get rid of any of his soft toys, he still buys them.

allnewtaketwo · 02/03/2012 19:15

My son only really got into cuddly toys at about 3 tbh

ipanicked · 02/03/2012 19:15

My little sis who is turning 30 this year still goes to bed with her favourite teddy .

3 is very young though to get rid of toys. I am curious though, does she replace this with creative play with her daughter? Toys are often a substitute for my attention when I need to get on and cook dinner etc even though I tell myself it's good they can play by themselves

Pesofanclub · 02/03/2012 19:16

Your friend sounds a bit unhinged

HSMM · 02/03/2012 19:16

Trying to get my 12 yr old to thin out her teddies, but she's struggling. Presumably she has some toys and is not just expected to sit around reading the newspaper or something?

Theas18 · 02/03/2012 19:18

Just don't tell my 3. The eldest has taken nana dog to uni. The 16yr olds piglet may not survive to go to uni it's so tatty and the youngest has 2 beanie doges she is loving to death.

I find it tragic this " too old for toys". I'm not to old to play if I want to !!

BsshBossh · 02/03/2012 19:28

So how does this 3yo play? Genuinely curious.

ragged · 02/03/2012 19:29

Not just unhinged, some of that sounds borderline abusive (I know I'll get yelled at for saying such). But most 3yo's have strong natural instincts to enjoy toys, often including teddies. Adult trying to squash that impulse out sounds horrible.

DS only got into cuddley toys at about 5, I think.

LikeAnAdventCandleButNotQuite · 02/03/2012 19:39

I'd be going round for a Playdate, to see what said 3 year old actually plays with?!

MamaMaiasaura · 02/03/2012 19:43

Marking spot as want to know result of 'play date'[nosey emocion]

feedthegoat · 02/03/2012 19:46

Ds is 6 and goes to bed every night with all 12 of the build a bears he owns. He also squirrels away every penny he is given towards saving for the next one. He loves his bears.

feedthegoat · 02/03/2012 19:46

Ds is 6 and goes to bed every night with all 12 of the build a bears he owns. He also squirrels away every penny he is given towards saving for the next one. He loves his bears.

BikeRunSki · 02/03/2012 19:49

DS 3, is just really getting into his toys, loves his soft giraffe he got when he was born, walks locally, but pushchair for longer walks and days out. Works for us.

LineRunner · 02/03/2012 19:49

Is this child training to be a Roman emperor?

muddymooncups · 02/03/2012 19:52

DS1 (20) has a teddy , so does DS2(15) and DD(10) can't get into bed because of all her BAB bears.

Play is a big part of development. & for this little girl.

I have a teddy and i'm over 40.

Original poster

peppajay · 02/03/2012 19:52

I have known this lady since our kids were babies and my son and her daughter are really good friends. As an individual the mother is very old b4 her time she is only 30 but the first time I met her I thought she was the grandmother not the mother. She is a lovely lady who has her daughters best interests at heart but as she acts and behaves like she is 50 I think she is trying to make her daughter older than she really is and rushing thru the early years as I think she probably finds the baby/young child stage really difficult, as she cannot relate to it at all. She can be quite tactless around young children and you see her quite often telling a child off if they accidentally run into her child at the park and she definitley trys to treat her daughter as a 10 yr old and not a 3 yr old but just coz she does things differently is it my place to interfere??!

OP posts:

LittleMissGoodEnough · 02/03/2012 19:57

Does the child seem happy enough?

Then not your place to interfere. Different strokes etc.

But it does make me

canyou · 02/03/2012 20:00

Poor child everyone needs a teddy I have got one for my DPs birthday present and he is 47
And no it is not your place to interfere

muddymooncups · 02/03/2012 20:09

If the child is happy then i agree, it's not up to you to interfere.

Children will find things to play with even if they have no "Toys".

When the DC goes to nursery/school all her friends will have the lastest toys and i expect she will ask for them. .

Duplo,doll house,doll&pram,jigsaws,books,large beads,play dough etc.. maybe you can suggest some of these, as more grown up!

muddymooncups · 02/03/2012 20:11

Oh, and then get your DC to get his friend a teddy for her birthday!

LineRunner · 02/03/2012 20:14

WTF is 'acting 50'? What, like dead or something?

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